The law has faced a backlash from opposition parties, media advocacy organizations, RTVS staff, and the European Broadcasting Union, who say the government is aiming to exert control over public media.
The legislation replaces RTVS with a new entity, Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), prompting the dismissal of RTVS’s director, Lubosz Machaj.
His temporary successor will be appointed by parliament’s current vice-chairman, Peter Žiga, with a new STVR chief to be selected by an appointed council during the upcoming parliamentary session.
The council’s composition includes appointees by Minister of Culture Martina Šimkovičová and members of parliament.
Opposition leaders are challenging the law, arguing it undermines media independence and threatens freedom of speech.
In response to criticisms, President Pellegrini's office released a statement asserting the law’s constitutionality and denying any infringement of free speech.
Šimkovičová also defended the law by citing RTVS's alleged decline in objectivity and balanced reporting, a claim opposed by protestors, RTVS staff, and opposition leaders, who have organized demonstrations and strikes protesting the bill.
The move has divided public opinion, with critics accusing Pellegrini of favoring the ruling coalition over impartiality during his tenure, which began on June 15.
