Slovak journalist Kristína Kövešová physically attacked, injured on assignment
New York, November 1, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Slovak authorities to swiftly complete their investigation into Wednesday’s physical attack by unknown individuals that injured Kristína Kövešová, a broadcast journalist with private station TV Markíza, while she was on assignment in Trnava, western Slovakia.
“It is a welcome development that Slovak authorities responded quickly to the physical attack against reporter Kristína Kövešová. They now must ensure that all those responsible are held to account and send a clear message that violence against the press will not be tolerated,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “Attacking or intimidating journalists reporting on public interest issues is totally unacceptable. Slovak authorities must implement concrete measures to ensure journalists’ safety.”
While Kövešová was filming a report, a group approached her. One member of the group assaulted Kövešová, resulting in serious injuries that required hospitalization, including a broken nose, concussion, and spinal trauma.
Kövešová was working on an ongoing investigation into a recent wave of gang-related violence in the region, including attacks, threats, and beatings, many of which have targeted women and the elderly. In a video from the hospital, she vowed to continue her reporting, while her employer announced plans to air the full investigation she was working on.
Trnava regional police launched an investigation and detained a suspect in connection with the incident.
The press office of Slovakia’s Ministry of Interior, which oversees the police, told CPJ via email that they charged a 25-year-old man with the attack but did not give any further details.
During a CPJ mission to Slovakia in May, journalists said they were facing an “orchestrated pattern” of abuse, with politicians verbally attacking reporters in public and online, which their supporters would then amplify on social media. Several journalists feared that such insults could easily escalate into physical violence again, as happened with the 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak.