Democracy in Question, Media in Doubt: Citizen Perceptions of Media Autonomy in Slovenia
Democracy in Question, Media in Doubt: Citizen Perceptions of Media Autonomy in Slovenia

Summary/Abstract: The article examines how citizens in Slovenia understand the relationship between democracy and media autonomy, drawing on focus group discussions conducted in 2024. As a post-socialist state marked by institutional instability, low trust, and weak media policy, Slovenia provides a context in which citizens' interpretations of democratic processes and the role of the media reflect broader dynamics of democratic consolidation. The study is theoretically grounded in normative media theory, which conceives media autonomy as a multi-layered ideal shaped by structural conditions, professional practices, and civic expectations. Findings reveal a complex and often ambivalent picture. While citizens generally uphold the normative ideal of the media as a watchdog of democracy, they frequently question whether Slovenian media fulfil this role. Participants identify several structural and political constraints undermining media autonomy, including politicisation of media ownership, pressures from political and economic elites, and insufficient safeguards for journalistic independence. The findings suggest that in contexts of fragile democratic consolidation, media autonomy is not merely a professional or institutional issue but a deeply political concern for citizens.

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