Slovak Television Network Violated Ethics Code with Report on Children Denied School Meals

Slovakia's TV Markíza violated journalism ethics standards in a February report about children denied lunch at a kindergarten in Žehňa village near Prešov, according to the Press and Digital Council, the country's media watchdog. The controversial segment showed a reporter questioning two young girls sitting at an empty table while their classmates ate lunch, asking them if they knew why they had no food - which they did not. The children were denied meals because their parents had not paid the required fees on time. While the report generated significant public attention and debate about children's welfare and school meal policies, the Press and Digital Council ruled that the television network prioritized emotional impact over the protection of minors. The decision highlights ongoing tensions in Slovak media between public interest journalism and ethical standards for reporting involving children.