'Christophe Deloire, the RSF secretary-general, said some European politicians, including government leaders, have sustained and even created an "appalling climate for journalists."
"European leaders have a responsibility to defend journalism and not to weaken it," he added.
..
Fico once told journalists they were "dirty, anti-Slovak whores" and labeled the media as being "plain, silly hyenas" and "slimy snakes."
The RSF head also pointed to other Central European leaders like Czech President Milos Zeman and governing parties in Hungary and Poland as generating a hostile environment for the media that threatens the security of journalists and press freedom in general.
"The Czech president last year showed up at a press conference with a toy Kalashnikov in his hand labeled 'For Journalists'," Deloire said of an incident in October.
Deloire also said that ruling parties in Poland and Hungary "have reduced pluralism" in public broadcasters, turning them into mouthpieces for the political power.'
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Tens Of Thousands March To Honor Slain Slovak Journalist, March 02, 2018
Context'..The authorities need to take the side of civil order..'