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
30/100
Factual
30/100
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
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 through 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.
The article discusses new content published by 'Pod črto' in January and February 2026, including six investigative articles, five podcast episodes, and multimedia content available on their social media platforms. The focus includes topics such as housing issues in Slovenia, analyzing rental market data collected from users, and exploring the accessibility of rental apartments in Ljubljana. The organization highlights the challenges faced by renters, including financial vulnerability and uncertainty about housing, based on survey responses. They also mention new podcast episodes and video formats for their content.
Analysis of police data on violent crime: Most crimes against life and body are committed on Saturdays
The article analyzes data on violent crimes against life and body in Slovenia between 2014 and 2025, based on police records. It notes that the number of such crimes decreased during the pandemic year of 2020 but has since increased again. The analysis includes all completed cases processed by the police, using the date of the final document (such as a criminal charge or police report) rather than the date the crime was committed. Data for 2025 is incomplete, making it difficult to determine the exact number of crimes for that year. The study aims to provide insight into trends in violent crime over time.
Episode 51 Despite high expectations, few occupational diseases have been recognized under the new regulation
In 2023, Slovenia adopted a new regulation regarding occupational diseases, aiming to systematically address an area that had been poorly regulated for decades. Three years after its implementation, an analysis has shown that the number of recognized occupational diseases remains significantly lower than expected. The podcast episode discusses this discrepancy, highlighting concerns over the effectiveness of the new regulations. Dr. Metoda Dodič Fikfak, a professor and specialist in occupational medicine, participated in the discussion, providing insights into the verification process of occupational diseases at the Clinical Institute of Occupational Medicine, Traffic, and Sports (KIMDPŠ). The episode was produced by a team including Urban Tarman, Lucijan Prelog, Metod Blejec, Una Rebić, and Taja Topolovec, with the interview conducted in September 2025.
Episode 50 New theme on the future of journalism: Looking back, looking forward
This podcast episode marks the beginning of a thematic series exploring the future of journalism and media. The first episode looks back at the history of digital technologies' relationship with media and journalism, providing context for looking ahead. The episode features Dr. Igor Vobič, a digital media expert and professor, discussing the evolving landscape of media. It was produced by Taja Topolovec, with contributions from various team members involved in scripting, editing, visual design, and animation. The content was made possible through reader donations.
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 identifying and reporting potential occupational illnesses. According to the updated 'Pravilnik o poklicnih boleh' (Regulation on Occupational Diseases), employers, workplace physicians, personal doctors, and other healthcare professionals are required to inform employees about the possibility of an occupational disease during preventive health checks. However, the regulation does not specify how this notification should be provided or require formal documentation of such alerts. The process for verifying occupational diseases begins with the employee submitting a form to an interdisciplinary group at the Clinical Institute for Medicine of Work, Traffic, and Sport (KIMDPŠ). There is concern that some employers fail to distinguish between occupational diseases and other conditions that limit work capacity. Experts like Dani Mirnik and Lara Avsec highlight that the new regulation places excessive responsibility on workers, who must gather all necessary documentation to complete the process, which can be challenging without professional aid
Housing issues: Is the market for rental housing in Slovenia really more affordable?
The article discusses housing challenges in Slovenia, focusing on the accessibility and affordability of rental properties across different regions. It highlights concerns raised by tenants, such as financial vulnerability, unpredictable rent increases, and forced relocations. The analysis includes data from 4427 rental advertisements, excluding short-term rentals and specific categories like rooms or care homes. The average advertised rent for apartments was 612 euros, while standalone houses averaged 1408 euros. In contrast, Ljubljana had significantly higher rents, averaging 1014 euros for apartments and 2671 euros for houses. The number of rental listings varies greatly between municipalities, with Maribor having the most ads, followed by Celje and Kranj. The article suggests that relocating to areas outside Ljubljana might offer more affordable options but remains uncertain due to regional differences in availability and pricing.
Episode 49 Living in a rented house: What worries you most?
The podcast episode 'Epizoda 49 – Živeti v najemu: Kaj vas najbolj skrbi?' presents an analysis of survey responses collected from tenants and landlords regarding housing concerns. The survey was conducted between March and June 2025, gathering 756 responses. Key concerns identified include financial vulnerability, housing insecurity, landlord decisions to evict, and rising rent prices. One respondent shared personal struggles with managing expenses despite two incomes, noting increased difficulty with children. The episode features quotes from respondents and is produced by a team including scriptwriting, editing, sound design, and visual elements. The content is supported by data provided by participants and includes contributions from multiple professionals.