Fired STVR Journalist Criticizes Mass Layoffs as 'Gross Arrogance'

Soňa Gyarfášová, a journalist dismissed from Slovakia's public broadcaster STVR, has condemned the recent mass layoffs at the institution as demonstrating "gross arrogance and lack of staff culture." Gyarfášová questioned why the broadcaster continued hiring new employees immediately before implementing widespread dismissals, arguing that STVR is not a private company and should not operate with such disregard for its workforce. The criticism comes amid broader concerns about the management and direction of STVR, Slovakia's state television and radio service, which serves as the country's primary public broadcasting institution funded by taxpayers and mandated to provide independent news coverage.