Media

The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia ensures freedom of the press and other forms of public communication and expression. Photo: Katarina Krmelj


The Slovenian media scene is very diverse and heterogeneous. Its beginnings can be traced back to the 19th century, when print media, daily newspapers and periodicals in Slovene started being published in growing numbers. The evolution of the media gained momentum in the final decade of the last century. With the political pressure off and market economy pressing in private incentive took over most of the segments of the media.

The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia ensures freedom of the press and other forms of public communication and expression. The Act on the Media provides rules and regulations for the entire media sphere.

Since Slovenia has only two million inhabitants, the language remains the most limiting factor of Slovenian media, influencing its economic potential and the possibilities for its further expansion.

The broadcast media

There are five domestic public service broadcast channels (Slovenia 1, Slovenia 2, Slovenia 3, Television Koper and Television Maribor) and 51 television channels,  in Slovenia. (2010)

Two commercial channels Pop TV and Kanal A are operated by the multi-media company PRO PLUS d.o.o . which is a part of the American Central European Media Enterprises (CME). 

RTV Slovenija (RTV SLO)  is a public service broadcaster with two national coverage television channels and a parliamentary channel (according to the Law, public service of RTV Slovenia includes a special national TV programme for direct broadcasting of the sessions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia and its working bodies, and the sessions of the National Council).

There is also a regional television channels for the Italian and Hungarian minorities.

Print media

In Slovenia there are 8 daily newspapers.

There are also a number of licensed Slovenian editions of foreign titles (men’s magazine FHM, National Geographic, Geo and Reader’s Digest), which are published by different local publishers.

Radio

The radio market in Slovenia is highly fragmented. RTV Slovenija (RTV SLO)  is a public service broadcaster with three national radio programmes and according to the Law public service of RTV Slovenia includes also creation, preparation, archiving and broadcasting of: radio programmes in the regional centres in Koper and Maribor, radio channels for the Italian and Hungarian national community respectively, radio programme for the Romany community, radio programme for Slovenian national minorities in the neighbouring countries and Slovenian emigrants and workers abroad and radio programme for foreign audiences.

Online media

All Slovenian dailies as well as the two most important television channels RTV Slovenia and Pop TV have their websites that are all well visited. The public service broadcaster is expanding its online offer to include real time transmission of radio and television programmes and a range of additional services. RTV Slovenia and Pop TV short news is also available through mobile phones with WAP technology.

News agency

There is only one main news agency in Slovenia, Slovenska tiskovna agencija (Slovenian Press Agency) or STA , which is an important source of information for smaller media, especially radio stations.  

State support for the media

All Slovenian media, with the exception of the public institution Radio-Television Slovenia, are privately owned. Only public radio and television are guaranteed a basic financial support arising from subscription fees, which all owners of television and radio receivers are required to pay. All other media, printed or electronic, depend on their economic success.