Journalists in Slovakia, united in their pursuit of justice, have been standing in public gatherings each year since the murder of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová. They express their growing frustration over the lack of accountability from government officials, who continue to label journalists as enemies of the state instead of addressing issues of corruption within the highest echelons of power. Despite nearly eight years since the tragic events, the call for justice remains unfulfilled, and the presence of police complaints against journalists has only increased, adding pressure to their work.

The statement from these journalists reveals a profound sense of betrayal, as they remember the initial warnings they issued about governmental hostility towards media professionals. This ongoing repression has escalated, with journalists increasingly facing criminal complaints and lawsuits, forcing them to spend time defending their work at police stations rather than focusing on reporting the news. The implications of these actions demonstrate a systematic attempt to divert attention away from legitimate concerns about corruption, which they continue to expose.

Through their public demonstrations and resolute statements, these journalists aim to keep the memory of Kuciak and Kušnírová alive while holding the government accountable for its actions against media freedom in Slovakia. Their message emphasizes the need for a culture of transparency and respect for journalistic integrity, underlining that the issue at hand is not merely personal, but one that affects the entire democratic framework of the nation, as they vow to persist until justice is served.