Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO)
Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV Slovenia / RTVSLO) is Slovenia’s national public broadcaster, headquartered in Ljubljana with studios in Koper and Maribor. It operates three nationwide television channels—TV SLO 1, TV SLO 2, and TV SLO 3—plus two regional TV channels (TV Koper-Capodistria and TV Maribor), and eight radio channels, including one international service.
Media assets
Television: National- TV Slovenija 1, TV Slovenija 2, TV Slovenija 3; Regional- TV Koper-Capodistria, TV Maribor
Radio: National- Prvi, Val 202, Ars; Regional- Radio Koper, Radio Capodistria, Radio Maribor, MMR; International- Radio Slovenia International (RSi)
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
RTVSLO is a non-profit public broadcaster established under the Radiotelevizija Slovenija Act and the Mass Media Act. Historically, its governance rested with a Programming Council (29 members) responsible for appointing the General Director and safeguarding editorial integrity, and a Supervisory Board (11 members) overseeing economic performance. These structures helped maintain independence, with legal safeguards including conflict-of-interest provisions.
However, the 2005 law increased government control by excluding civil society from the Programming Council and expanding state appointment powers, a move sharply criticized by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Council of Europe. This shift enabled political influence over appointments and editorial direction, undermining credibility.
In 2020, political pressure intensified: right-wing Prime Minister Janez Janša described RTVSLO as a “media killer,” replaced board members with government-aligned figures, and influenced editorial decisions, prompting staff strikes and protests.
However, following the adoption of amendments to the RTVSLO law by the new ruling coalition in July 2022 and subsequent confirmation of the law’s validity by the national Constitutional Court, RTVSLO’s management has been restructured. Its two governing bodies have been merged into a 17-member decision-making structure and the position of General Director was replaced by a four-member management board.
Following the July 2022 amendments to the RTV Slovenija Act, the new 17-member Council was gradually appointed in early 2023, with civil society and staff representatives taking seats (for example, the Human Rights Ombudsman nominated Goran Forbici in February 2023). Once constituted, the Council moved to reshape management, dismissing the previous acting chief and naming long-time RTV engineer Zvezdan Martić as acting Director General in August 2023. Shortly after, it named a new four-member management board, which became the new form of management at RTVSLO. In September 2024, the Council elected former TV Slovenia director Natalija Gorščak as President of the Management Board for a four-year term, marking the full implementation of the new governance model intended to strengthen RTV Slovenija’s independence.
Source of funding and budget
RTVSLO’s funding derives from license fees (compulsory for households), advertising and commercial revenues, and marginal state budget support. License fees contribute approximately 70–80% of the budget; in 2022, over 77% was expected from licence fees, and about 13% from advertising. In 2022, RTVSLO’s income was €35.95 million, rising to €139.76 million in 2023. The following year, RTVSLO saw its income further increase to €146.35 million, according to a company report.
The license fee increase to €14.02/month (from 2025) offers some relief, though leadership considers it insufficient. Share of license fee revenues in total decreased from 71% in 2023 to 67.7% in 2024.
Editorial independence
Legally, RTVSLO is bound by principles of impartiality, truthfulness, pluralism, and programming responsibilities (e.g., for Italian and Hungarian minorities, cultural and children’s content). A Listener and Viewer Ombudsman, appointed in 2008, handles audience feedback and advises the General Director.
During the right-wing Janša government, concerns over editorial interference surged—including programming reforms in November 2021 (e.g., talk show cancellations) that many interpreted as politically motivated. Staff strikes followed.
The 2023 law reforms (enacted June 2023) received praise from Prime Minister Robert Golob and NGOs like the International Press Institute and Article 19 as steps toward depoliticization.
September 2025