Viktor Vincze, one of Slovakia’s most recognisable television anchors and the elected leader of the journalists’ union at TV Markíza—Slovakia’s most-watched private broadcaster—was removed from the country’s top-rated news programme Televízne noviny in May 2025 after refusing a reassignment to a newly launched online platform under conditions he described as punitive and professionally untenable, including a quadrupling of duties without increased compensation. His dismissal, preceded by a 20 percent salary cut, exclusion from a prime-time entertainment show, and restrictions on external speech, has been framed by over 80 of his colleagues as part of a broader pattern of retaliatory measures against union leadership. His co-anchor, Zuzana Čimová, was also removed, prompting staff to issue a formal protest to General Director Peter Gažík, denouncing the move as “workplace bullying” and a clear attempt to sideline dissent. The station, which had earlier dismissed political presenter Michal Kovačič after he publicly alleged newsroom censorship, now faces renewed scrutiny over its treatment of employees advocating for editorial independence. While Markíza denies any retaliatory intent and maintains that Vincze declined a strategic role in a digital media project aimed at younger audiences, the dispute has sparked unprecedented internal unrest, the resignation of high-profile presenter Adela Vinczeová—his wife—from a lucrative judging role on Let’s Dance in protest, and growing concern from civil society over the deteriorating conditions for press freedom and labour rights in Slovakia’s commercial media sector.
Viktor Vincze, a long-serving presenter of Televízne noviny, the flagship evening news bulletin on TV Markíza—Slovakia’s most-watched private television network—was informed in mid-May 2025 that he would no longer anchor the programme as of June. The announcement was delivered by Michal Kratochvíl, director of the network’s Centre for News and Public Affairs. Vincze was instead offered a position in TN LIVE, a new online project targeting younger audiences, where he was expected to host a twice-daily segment titled Televízne noviny Špeciál. According to Vincze, the proposed terms involved a quadrupling of duties and doubling of workdays without any adjustment to compensation, a proposal he declined.
Zuzana Čimová, Vincze’s co-anchor and part of the programme’s youngest presenting pair, was also removed and slated for reassignment to the online format. Both learned of their removal the same day the station issued a press release announcing the reshuffle. Vincze later stated that he had neither been consulted nor agreed to the new position and characterised the move as a consequence of his vocal advocacy for journalistic integrity and workers’ rights.
Journalists accuse management of silencing dissent
Since 2024, Vincze has served as president of Markíza’s internal journalists’ union. He succeeded political affairs presenter Michal Kovačič, who was dismissed after publicly accusing the newsroom of editorial interference during a live broadcast of the political talk show Na telo. Vincze continued Kovačič’s advocacy, calling for institutional protections to uphold editorial independence and improve workplace conditions.
The changes were immediately contested by newsroom employees. A formal letter addressed to General Director Peter Gažík was signed by more than 80 members of Markíza’s editorial staff. The letter explicitly condemned the removal of Vincze and Čimová as retaliatory and labelled the decision as an attempt to eliminate an “inconvenient person.” Signatories claimed that Kratochvíl had not engaged in prior discussion with Vincze and warned that the move threatened the credibility of the country’s most influential news outlet. According to the letter, the changes were “seen by staff as retaliation” for union activity.
The reassignment followed a series of actions that Vincze and his supporters also interpret as retaliatory. In late 2024, Vincze was removed from the broadcaster’s popular entertainment programme Let’s Dance and subjected to a 20 percent reduction in pay. The salary cut was applied after he gave an unauthorised interview to another media outlet, which the broadcaster cited as a violation of internal policy. Vincze maintained that these measures were punitive, linked to his union leadership. His wife, Adela Vinczeová, a major Slovak television figure, publicly supported him by resigning her own role on Let’s Dance, stating she could not “align with the circumstances under which Viktor was removed.”
Additional tension arose when Vincze was barred from participating in a livestream discussion on the 2024 U.S. presidential election with former Markíza host Michal Kovačič and ex-foreign minister Pavol Demeš. The broadcaster claimed his participation would breach contractual obligations and internal policy. In a formal response, Markíza asserted that such external engagements require prior approval and could violate Slovak labour law. Critics viewed the intervention as further evidence of escalating constraints on journalistic expression and union representation.
Shortly before the reshuffle was made public, News and Media Holding (NMH), a media conglomerate owned by Slovak financial group Penta, published anonymous criticisms of Vincze’s union leadership. Supporters viewed the timing and anonymity of these claims as part of a broader campaign to undermine internal advocacy.
Vincze’s departure fuels public concern over media freedom
Vincze formally announced his departure following a final broadcast on 21 May 2025, during which he and Čimová bid farewell to viewers. In a symbolic closing, Vincze echoed the words “Good night and good luck”—a reference to the 2005 film about American journalist Edward R. Murrow’s stand against political repression. Čimová’s status remains formally unconfirmed, but she is widely expected to leave as well.
TV Markíza has consistently denied any punitive intent behind its decisions. In a public statement, the network maintained that Vincze had been offered an opportunity to continue his work “freely and independently” as part of a strategically significant initiative. Markíza cited adherence to internal rules and contractual terms as the basis for disciplinary measures, including salary reductions and restrictions on external appearances.
Journalist Barbora Mareková, a former Markíza staff member, described the situation as emblematic of deeper systemic issues within Slovakia’s media environment. She argued that even private broadcasters operating under national licences have a responsibility to uphold public trust and transparency, and warned against societal complacency in the face of eroding editorial standards.
The TN LIVE platform that catalysed the conflict is scheduled to launch in the coming weeks. Markíza has constructed a fully digital studio for the project and announced plans to incorporate artificial intelligence in its production model. According to Kratochvíl, the platform aims to modernise news delivery in Slovakia, making content more accessible for younger, digitally-oriented audiences.
While the long-term consequences remain uncertain, the departure of Viktor Vincze—one of the country’s most recognisable news figures and its most prominent union advocate—has intensified scrutiny of Slovakia’s leading private broadcaster and prompted renewed debate over press freedom, corporate accountability, and workplace rights.
