Human Rights Ombudsman Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek, together with her Deputy Ombudsman Miha Horvat, met today with Marica Uršič Zupan, Ombudswoman for the Rights of RTV Slovenia's Viewers, Listeners, Readers and Online Users. Marica Uršič Zupan presented the key findings of her 2025 Annual Report and discussed its main conclusions. The two also exchanged views on areas in which the work of both institutions overlaps and on the protection of human rights in the media environment.

Among other issues, Marica Uršič Zupan noted an increase in audience responses relating to news published by RTV Slovenia's Multimedia Centre. Most responses concerned factual inaccuracies, fact-checking, and editorial decisions regarding the selection and placement of content. She also referred to viewers' questions about whether particular content was appropriate for specific programmes or programme formats. The Annual Report records 2,341 audience responses, including 157 complaints, 119 suggestions, 216 questions and 114 commendations.

A significant part of the discussion focused on the accessibility of RTV Slovenia's programmes and services, particularly for blind and visually impaired persons. In 2025, 48 responses related to the accessibility of content, representing the second-highest number recorded to date. Marica Uršič Zupan welcomed the production of easy-to-read content, which facilitates better understanding of information and makes it accessible to a wider audience. She also stressed the importance of the effective work of the Programme Committee for Programming Content for Persons with Disabilities.

Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek also highlighted the positive feedback received by the Ombudsman's Office regarding specific content on persons with disabilities and the Dostopno.si web portal. Marica Uršič Zupan informed the Ombudsman that RTV Slovenia had adopted a new Code of Ethics and Professional Standards, which will provide an important framework for the responsible and high-quality production of programme content. She also emphasised the important role of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

The discussion also covered the summer programming schedule. Marica Uršič Zupan explained that part of the audience feedback concerned the absence of certain popular programmes during the summer months and the increased number of repeat broadcasts. Such changes are felt particularly strongly by older persons and other vulnerable groups, who watch television more frequently and for whom these programmes represent an important source of information, entertainment and connection with social and cultural life.

Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek presented the areas in which the Ombudsman receives complaints and initiatives relating to the operation of the public media. Allegations of politically unbalanced reporting remain among the most frequent issues raised. She stressed that the public is entitled to expect a high standard of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism from the public media, both in the work of journalists and editors and in the decisions taken by the management of public media organisations.

Particular attention was also devoted to hate speech and inappropriate online comments. This raises the question of how to prevent effectively the dissemination of hateful, discriminatory and otherwise harmful content without disproportionately restricting freedom of expression or undermining public debate. Dr Drenik Bavdek emphasised that moderators of online comments should receive appropriate professional training. In addition to understanding the specific characteristics of online communication, they should possess broader knowledge, particularly of the law and of national and international standards governing the limits of permissible expression. She proposed the development of appropriate training programmes, together with clear criteria and methodologies for identifying and responding to hateful, discriminatory and other inappropriate forms of expression. Such an approach would contribute to more consistent, professionally sound, transparent and predictable moderation decisions. The discussion also touched upon programming for the Italian and Hungarian national communities and the funding of such programmes.

The participants also discussed the representation of sport in RTV Slovenia's programming. Dr Drenik Bavdek stressed that including parasport in programme schedules is not merely a matter of reporting sporting achievements, but also contributes to greater recognition of the abilities, efforts and perseverance of athletes with disabilities. This enhances their visibility and social inclusion and promotes more positive public attitudes towards persons with disabilities. It is also important from the perspective of improving the employment opportunities of this vulnerable group.

Dr Drenik Bavdek also highlighted concerns regarding the broadcasting of major sporting events, noting that some events are available only on commercial television channels, which are not accessible to everyone, particularly socially disadvantaged persons, thereby further contributing to social exclusion.

The meeting concluded with the shared view that the regular exchange of experience and findings contributes to the early identification of broader human rights issues in the media environment and supports the development of more inclusive, accessible and accountable public media.