Prior posts by this blogger has discussed the influence and importance of what American’s call the ‘fourth branch’ of government—the media. Discussing the role of the media in European politics is interesting since each country in Europe has different cultural expectations and laws regarding the press. As such it is important when examining the political situations in Central and Eastern Europe.Politicians and the media have a love-hate relationship. It is through the medium of media that politicians communicate with the citizens. But, the constant presence of the media with politicians is not only irritating for the lack of privacy, but frustrating because of the potential for very public mistakes.
However, in a democracy the media is an integral part of government becoming in the case of Thatcher’s Britain the ‘print-opposition’, Schroder’s ‘other voice’ and in France an uncensored ‘Big Brother’. Also, as with any business operations, sponsorship based on funds is necessary. This may not mean that one will find a biased media source, as some conservatives claim in the United States, rather the facts are fundamental and opinion is left where it belongs, on the editorial page.
Mr Fico’s accusations that the Sme daily newspaper’s reporting is influenced by money from private health care and pension companies is amusing, dare I say funny. Despite the fact that to remain in business such sponsorship is needed, Mr Fico’s own party has influence from money of powerful businesses and individuals. His accusation leveled in his letter to the daily Sme newspaper is untrue where he writes“…I am also prepared to tolerate the unusual phenomenon in which you have taken up the role of political opposition, which is unprecedented in Europe.” If Mr Fico feels, as he claims in his accusation of Sme inventing a story that Fico said the governor of the central bank (NBS) may be corrupt, in an interview on the public Slovak Radio one must remember the differences between a hurt ego and hurt pride. They are not mutually exclusive.
Rather, the prime minister should examine the relationship of the press with other governments, in particular Britain and Germany where the idea of ‘print opposition’ is not only normal and accepted, but valued. The relationship between the media and politicians will always be tenuous as in the political climate. There is no need to alienate the people and sources one need’s in future legislative and electoral battles.
