Smer-SD Representatives Reiterate Need to Respect Different Opinions

Bratislava, June 16 (TASR) - Representatives of the Smer-SD party reiterated at a press conference on Sunday the need to respect other opinions. Government Office head Juraj Gedra stated that last week's contributions in two dailies presented disrespect for another opinion and dehumanised people who try to do something for Slovakia. "Be factual, use arguments and be able to hold a factual discussion with politicians," Gedra urged the media, pointing to a commentary in the SME daily. He also referred to last week's podcast in the Dennik N daily, in which defamatory words were used against chief of premier's advisers Erik Kalinak, Smer-SD MP Richard Gluck and Gedra. "That was really pure hatred in its absolute shape," said Vice-Premier and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD). Gedra called on the daily to apologise. "We apologize for the insults," Dennik N editor-in-chief Matus Kostolny told TASR in response, pointing out that it was a satire podcast in which the authors make fun of everything and everyone. "It's satire, not news service or opinion journalism. In satire, the boundaries are the freest and the constraints the smallest. But even in satire, a joke shouldn't be built solely on insulting others," he added. According to him, the Dennik N daily tries to provide factual and cultivated criticism and public discussion. "We'll continue to do this because it's the basis of democracy. I'll be happy if politicians will also be able to apologise for the insults they aim at journalists, as well as at political opponents," he added. am