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[Press Freedom Predators 2026] Slovak PM Fico listed again
International Day to End Impunity Crimes Against Journalists (2 November)
RSF unveiled 33 press freedom predators who targeted journalists and media outlets. The 2026 list, that includes 26 same names and 7 new predators, was presented at the occasion of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Slovak PM Robert Fico was again listed among predators who apply social pressure - those who smear media and promote mistrust of journalists.
#33 Press Freedom Predators Listed
For International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, celebrated on 2 November, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) unveiled the profiles of 33 press freedom predators who targeted journalists and media outlets in 2026 (there were 34 predators in 2025). What do they have in common? As RSF highlights, it is a hatred of press freedom. Their weapons may differ, but their goals are the same: to silence independent voices and trample on the right to information. Their methods to muzzle the press include assassinations, imprisonments, propaganda and troll armies. This tongue-in-cheek awards list highlights the diversity and brutality of the tactics used to stifle journalism.
In comparison with 2025, there are 26 same names and subjects, while 7 new predators were added for the 2026 list, including 4 presidents - Donald Trump (the US), Abdel Fattah al-Sissi (Egypt), Mamadi Doumbouya (Guinea) and Kassym-Jokart Tokayev (Kazakhstan).
#Categories of Press Freedom Predators
The 2026 Press Freedom Predators list serves as a counterpart to the Press Freedom Index published annually by RSF (see Press Freedom Index 2026). While the Index assesses the state of press freedom in countries, this list highlights those who trample it underfoot.
These predators are divided into five categories, directly derived from the Index's indicators:Â
POLITICAL: They muzzle information in their country (7 in 2026 vs 8 in 2025)
SECURITY: They kill, attack and jail journalists (8 in 2026 vs 7 in 2025)
LEGAL: They subject journalists to judicial harassment (6 in 2026 vs 7 in 2025)
ECONOMIC: They ruin media financially (5 in 2026 vs 6 in 2025)
SOCIAL: They smear media and promote mistrust of journalists (7 in 2026 vs 6 in 2025)
#Slovak PM again in the list
Similarly to 2025, prime minister Fico was listed as one of seven predators within the SOCIAL category.
(Pravda, original source the Government Office: Prime minister Fico called a journalist "an idiot")
#Media developments in Slovakia
For recent Slovakia-related media developments, see also MEMO 98 articles:
When did we forget? MEMO 98 joins campaign for democratic values (September 2026)
Evasive decisions on complaint by NGOs show worrying cracks in independent oversight of Slovakia's public broadcaster (August 2026)
Your Digital Safety: A new MEMO 98 Guide for women in the public sphere (May 2026)
[Press Freedom Index - SLOVAKIA] Public media and regulator pressured (May 2026)
Is the public STVR's news impartial? MEMO 98 and partners complain to the media regulator (April 2026)
[Russian Law] The Constitutional Court ruled that the law is unconstitutional (December 2025)
[Press Freedom Predators 2025] Slovak PM Fico listed (November 2025)
