Collusion between politicians and journalists in the context of wiretapping of journalists
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Date
2016
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Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu
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Abstract
This case study reports about the collusion scandal behind the widespread
wiretapping operations of various journalists. The report, however, focuses mainly
on one part of the affair, namely the clear collusion between a journalist from the
daily Pravda, and a top politician – a Member of Parliament, whose conversations
were also recorded. MP Robert Kaliňák was apparently trying to persuade the reporter
Vanda Vavrová to publish discrediting material about his political rival. The study
thus largely examines the media’s role in politics and ethical issues resulting from
trespass of the journalistic agency for objective and impartial reporting. Moreover,
initial coverage of this affair by the selected media is analysed throughout the study to
pinpoint the role of Slovak journalists/media while facing the controversial behaviour
of one of their peers. It was found that the media actually underplayed the collusion
story and focused their attention mostly on the wiretapping affair, strongly condemning
the actions by the state authorities. Ironically, a few years later it was proved that
the wiretapping of journalists (in contrast to other persons and institutions) was both
legal and justified. Moreover, the media ignored the possible political and criminal
corruption issues behind the double scandal.
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Keywords
wiretapping, collusion, Slovakia, Pravda, ethics
Citation
Środkowoeuropejskie Studia Polityczne, 2016, nr 2, s. 107-124.