Media Board statement on developments concerning the Slovak Council for Media Services

IRIS 2026-4:1/14

Amélie Lacourt

European Audiovisual Observatory

The European Board for Media Services (the Media Board) was created under the European Media Freedom Act, replacing the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA), initially established under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). The Media Board enhances cooperation by bringing together national media regulatory authorities. Together, they support and advise the European Commission to ensure the effective application of media law at EU level and strengthen founding principles, including media freedom, pluralism, transparency and better cooperation.

Following its inaugural plenary meeting on 10 February 2025, the Media Board issued its first statement on 13 March 2026, addressing the latest developments regarding the Slovak media regulator, the Council for Media Services. In light of the dismissal of the Chief Executive of the Slovak regulator, who also served as a member of the Media Board and the European Board for Digital Services, the Media Board decided to raise certain aspects pertaining to this decision, which raise concerns as to their compatibility with AVMSD and DSA requirements. These include the sudden introduction of a dismissal proposal, the narrow vote that followed, and indications of potential structural changes affecting internal safeguards. In its statement, the Media Board notes the EU legal framework safeguarding the independence of media regulators, which includes Article 30(5) AVMSD, Article 9 EMFA and Article 50 DSA.

Based on these elements, the Media Board has called on the European Commission to look into the situation in Slovakia and encouraged it “to give particular consideration to the proper and effective application of the relevant provisions of the abovementioned laws on the independence of national regulatory authorities”.