SloveniaOwnership & classification
Founded: 2014
Ownership
Pod črto is published by the non-profit institute 'Pod črto, zavod za ustvarjanje kakovostnega novinarstva', based in Ljubljana. It is not owned by any company, party or media group; the institute was founded and is directed by journalist/editor-in-chief Taja Topolovec. It is registered in the Slovenian Ministry of Culture media register and operates as an independent investigative-journalism outlet.
Funding
It is reader- and donor-funded: the site is free with no paywall, and relies on individual reader donations plus grants from foundations and organisations that support investigative journalism (it is part of cross-border networks such as OCCRP). It does not depend on a single owner or commercial advertising model.
Affiliation & stance
Pod črto has no party, state or corporate owner and explicitly positions itself as independent investigative and data journalism (its reporting has scrutinised across the political spectrum). Because it is privately/non-profit owned with no party or state control and is sustained by readers and foundations, it is correctly classed INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 8
50/100
Factual
67/100
Objective
10
Articles
10
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
We're celebrating our 12th birthday, so what are we doing for you?
The article marks the 12th anniversary of the establishment of 'Pod črto,' a nonprofit investigative media outlet in Slovenia. Founded in 2014 with support from readers and donors, the organization has published over a thousand articles focusing on complex social issues and positive change. The article highlights their gratitude toward supporters and outlines upcoming projects, including three new investigative series, a new season of their podcast, multimedia stories for social media platforms, and weekend newsletters. They also mention strategic developments and new initiatives planned for the future, which they intend to announce in the coming months.
Bottom line, we've prepared for you the summer strawberry selection.
The article presents three separate investigative reports covering different topics. First, it discusses a British Guardian investigation into the dangers of the seaweed species Ulva armoricana, which has caused fatalities due to hydrogen sulfide emissions from decomposition. Second, it highlights data from The Marshall Project showing a tenfold increase in daily child detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly under Donald Trump’s second term, with over 550 children detained daily and many held beyond the legally mandated 20-day period. Third, it references a Dutch newspaper, de Volkskrant, which reported on a failed intelligence assessment by Dutch civilian and military intelligence services that downplayed the likelihood of Russian invasion of Ukraine before the February 2022 invasion, despite warnings from allies.
Report on the work carried out in March and April 2026: New research projects and the possibility of support from SMS grants
The article from 'Pod črto' provides an update on their activities in March and April 2026, highlighting new investigative projects and a new donation method via SMS. The organization thanks donors who have supported their operations in 2026, emphasizing that their content remains free and ad-free due to this support. They mention ongoing data collection and preparation for new investigations within the framework of a funded project by the Ministry of Culture, titled 'Systemic Problems Under the Microscope.' However, they note that funding has not yet been received, as the ministry plans to reimburse expenses after the budget rebalance in September 2026. Additionally, they introduce an SMS donation option through specific telecom providers and mention participation in an international forum organized by Civitates.
Work report for January and February 2026: We promised a lot of new content, here it is
Pod črto, a Slovenian investigative journalism platform, announced new content published in January and February 2026, including six new research articles, five podcast episodes, and multimedia content across their social media profiles. The content focuses on topics such as healthcare, culture, media, housing issues, and violent crime. One major article analyzed housing accessibility in Slovenia, expanding on previous research focused on Ljubljana. The study used data collected from tenants and highlights concerns such as financial vulnerability and housing insecurity among renters. It also revealed that many renters do not have officially registered residences and that there is often a discrepancy between the stated and actual rent in rental agreements.
Analysis of police data on violent crime: Most crimes against life and body are committed on Saturdays
The article presents an analysis of police data on violent crimes in Slovenia between January 2014 and November 2025. It notes that the number of violent crimes against life and body decreased during the pandemic year of 2020 but has since increased again. The analysis includes all completed cases processed by the police, based on the date of the final document (such as a criminal charge or police report). Data for 2025 is incomplete, as the analysis only covers up to November 2025. The study highlights trends in crime rates over time and emphasizes the importance of considering the timing of police documentation rather than the actual occurrence of crimes.
Episode 52 The process of verifying an occupational disease is demanding for a worker without a professional background
This episode of 'Pod črto' discusses the verification process for occupational diseases under the new regulations introduced in 2023. It outlines the steps required for preparing an application, highlights the most commonly verified occupational diseases in Slovenia, and identifies which professions have the highest recognition rates for such conditions. The episode features interviews with medical experts specializing in occupational health, sports medicine, and dermatology, along with representatives from the Slovenian Health and Safety Association (ZSSS). The discussion was conducted by Urban Tarman between September and October 2025.
Episode 51 Despite high expectations for the new regulation, few occupational diseases were recognized
In episode 51 of the podcast 'Pod črto,' the focus is on the new regulation regarding occupational diseases introduced in Slovenia in 2023. The regulation aimed to systematically organize the recognition of occupational diseases, which had been unregulated for over a decade. Three years after the regulation was adopted, the episode evaluates whether the situation for those suffering from occupational diseases has improved. The analysis compares the expected annual number of occupational diseases with the actual figures. The episode features contributions from Dr. Metod Dodič Fikfak, a professor and specialist in occupational medicine, who leads the Clinical Institute for Medicine of Work, Traffic, and Sport (KIMDPŠ), where occupational disease verification takes place. The production team includes various contributors involved in scriptwriting, editing, visual design, and music.
Episode 50 New theme on the future of journalism: Looking back, looking forward
The article introduces a new podcast series focusing on the future of journalism and media, starting with an episode that looks back at the impact of digital technologies on media and journalism. The first episode features Dr. Igor Vobič, an expert in digital media and professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, discussing historical perspectives to inform future directions. The podcast is now available in video format as well. The production team includes Taja Topolovec, Lucijan Prelog, Metod Blejec, and Una Rebić.
Occupational diseases: The worker is responsible for preparing the application
The article discusses the new regulations regarding occupational diseases in Slovenia, specifically focusing on the responsibilities of workers in preparing claims for verification. It highlights concerns raised by medical specialists and advisors about the shift in responsibility from employers to employees. The new regulation requires workers to notify their workplace, personal doctor, and other relevant parties about potential occupational diseases during preventive health checks. However, the regulation does not specify how this notification should be provided or require formal documentation. Specialists argue that the burden has been placed entirely on the worker, making the process difficult for those without professional support. The article mentions that the verification process begins with the employee submitting a claim to an interdisciplinary group of experts at the Clinic Institute for Medicine of Labour, Traffic, and Sport (KIMDPŠ), but there are concerns about whether employers properly differentiate between occupational diseases and other conditions limiting work capacity.
Housing issues: Is the market for rental housing in Slovenia really more affordable?
The article discusses the housing rental situation in Slovenia, highlighting concerns among tenants regarding rising rents, uncertainty in lease renewals, and the potential need to relocate. One tenant expresses anxiety over possible relocation and the stress of finding new accommodation, while another worries about their child starting school and the lack of certainty regarding future housing. Approximately two-thirds of respondents in the survey mentioned financial vulnerability as a concern. The analysis of advertised rental prices reveals that average rent for apartments in Slovenia is around 612 euros, compared to 1014 euros in Ljubljana. The availability of rental properties varies significantly between municipalities, with Maribor having the most listings followed by Celje and Kranj. The data includes 4427 total property advertisements, excluding short-term rentals, rooms, and other specific categories.