After more than two decades, Slovenia has finally adopted a comprehensive reform of its media legislation. The National Assembly has passed the new Media Act (ZMed-1), which introduces far-reaching changes and responds to the needs of a modern, digitalized media environment.
The Act involves a wide range of stakeholders: journalists, media publishers, regulators, civil society, and the general public. Its main goal is to protect freedom of expression and ensure comprehensive and high-quality public information.
ZMed-1 is based on three substantive pillars that complement each other.
The first pillar regulates freedom of expression, media independence, and journalistic and editorial autonomy. Within this framework, the Act guarantees journalists the right to protect their sources and explicitly prohibits the use of intrusive software to monitor their communication devices. It also requires mandatory labeling of media content generated with artificial intelligence, thereby promoting transparency and responsible use of technology in public discourse.
The second pillar focuses on promoting and protecting media pluralism—that is, the diversity of information sources and opinions. To this end, the Act establishes procedures for the notification and assessment of media concentrations and introduces modern financial mechanisms to support pluralism, including the digitalization of print media and the development of digital platforms.
The third pillar defines the obligations and responsibilities of publishers and introduces necessary restrictions on media activities to protect the public interest. The Act enhances transparency through mandatory disclosure of media ownership and funding sources, including information about state advertising. Special attention is devoted to preventing the spread of hate speech and violence in the media space, which supports responsible editorial policy.
The Act aligns with European guidelines and legislation. It follows, among others, the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), thus adapting Slovenia’s media framework to European standards.
ZMed-1 is divided into eight chapters:
• I. General Provisions
• II. Freedom of Expression and Independence of the Media, and Journalistic and Editorial Autonomy
• III. Promotion and Protection of Media Pluralism
• IV. Obligations and Responsibilities of Publishers and Necessary Restrictions on Media Activities
• V. Special Provisions on the Performance of Radio and Television Activities
• VI. Supervision
• VII. Penal Provisions
• VIII. Transitional and Final Provisions
With the adoption of ZMed-1, Slovenia gains a modern and comprehensive law that responds to current challenges in the media landscape and lays a solid foundation for the continued development of a free, pluralistic, and responsible media environment.
