SKOwnership & classification
Founded: 1993
Ownership
SME is published by Petit Press, a.s. Since 2021 the controlling shareholder is the Prvá slovenská investičná skupina (PSIS), led by Slovak entrepreneur Ondrej Rybár, alongside the management; that year the Penta financial group sold the 40-45 percent stake it had held since 2014, ending years of contested partial ownership. Penta never gained majority control, and its exit returned full control to PSIS/Petit Press.
Funding
SME is funded by a mix of print sales, a digital subscription/paywall (sme.sk), and advertising; it is a commercial broadsheet without state or party subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
SME was founded in 1993 by journalists who seceded from the daily Smena under political pressure, and is a leading liberal, centre-left-leaning broadsheet often critical of populist governments. When Penta entered in 2014 part of the staff left to found Denník N over independence concerns, but Penta has since fully exited and the publisher is now controlled by a private investment group with no party or state stake. As a privately owned, commercially financed outlet free of party or government control, it is INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 641
79/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
889
Articles
889
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Slovakia is waiting for a new temperature record to be confirmed.
A Slovak rescue team has flown to Venezuela to search for missing persons.
V sobotu štyridsiatka nepadla, no Slovensko sa varilo: Meteorológovia varujú, že v nedeľu to bude ešte horšie (online) - Správy
An explosion in Monaco has injured three people, and police are investigating the attack.
Fico praises legislation that doesn't even guarantee the maximum temperature at the construction site
A shooting in a German town has claimed five lives.
Bratislava may lose the Porsche Cayenne
Smer v Košickom kraji nestavia vlastného koňa. Podporí kandidáta Hlasu, v hre je aj košické „prekvapenie“ - Správy
Recent coverage
The exhibition My City of Feelings shows that a better city starts with a child's gaze
The article mentions an exhibition in Bratislava titled 'Moje mesto pocitov' which promotes active residents of the future. The exhibition appears to focus on the perspective of children in shaping a better city, emphasizing their role in urban development. There is no detailed information provided about the specific activities, goals, or outcomes of the exhibition. The piece does not include any direct quotes, statistics, or official statements, making it difficult to assess the broader implications or reactions to the event.
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
France must recognize children born to surrogate mothers abroad, court rules
A court has ruled that France must recognize children born through surrogacy abroad. The case involved a same-sex couple who had three children born in Canada via surrogacy. The ruling addresses the legal recognition of such children in France, which does not currently allow surrogacy arrangements. This decision could impact the rights of children born through international surrogacy and the legal status of parents in similar situations.
L'essence de la France: Discover secret places in France that have not yet lost their face to the onslaught of tourists
The article invites readers to explore hidden gems in France that have retained their authentic charm despite the pressures of tourism. It encourages travelers to discover lesser-known locations that offer a more genuine experience away from crowded tourist spots.
Three banks have already sealed their mortgage cuts, only one has made a big discount, but only temporarily.
The article discusses the current state of mortgage rates in Slovakia, noting that three banks have already increased their rates. One bank has temporarily lowered its rates, but this is seen as a temporary measure. The overall trend suggests that mortgage rates are likely to continue rising.
After 31 years, she was abruptly terminated.
The article discusses a worker at the Financial Administration who was suddenly dismissed after 31 years of service. The employee describes how she became an 'undesirable person,' raising concerns about potential interference with the unit's work.
Czech MEPs approve new rules of procedure, alcohol not banned
The Czech parliamentarians have approved a new parliamentary order, with 110 out of 136 present members voting in favor. The decision does not include a ban on alcohol consumption during sessions. The approval indicates broad support among lawmakers for the revised procedural rules.
Szijjártó has flown 14 million euros in private planes, says new secretary of state
The article reports that Hungary's foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, allegedly spent 14 million euros using private jets in 2025, according to a new state secretary. The claim highlights concerns over potential misuse of public funds by high-ranking officials. The information appears to be part of ongoing scrutiny into the financial activities of Hungarian political leaders. However, the article does not provide further details or confirmations of these allegations.
Iran is burying its slain leader in a six-day procession
The article reports that Iranian leader Ali Chamenei died during American-Israeli attacks. The headline mentions that the funeral processions will last six days, indicating a significant national event. The content focuses on the death of a prominent political figure and the associated mourning rituals. There is no additional context provided regarding the circumstances of his death or any political implications.
Unfinished rescue stations are guarded, but not everywhere is done
The article discusses the incomplete construction of emergency service stations under a planned renovation project valued at over 33 million euros. It highlights that while some stations are being guarded, work is not progressing uniformly across all locations. The funding allocated for building 58 stations is part of a larger infrastructure initiative aimed at improving emergency response capabilities.
The secret to tanned skin?
The article discusses the limitations of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) in protecting against sun damage and suggests that sunscreen alone may not be sufficient for adequate sun protection. It highlights the need for additional measures such as wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and using other forms of sun protection beyond just sunscreen. The piece aims to inform readers about more comprehensive strategies for safeguarding their skin from harmful UV rays.
Approved zoning of national parks negates their reform, says Kuffa
The article reports that national parks' zoning decisions are undermining their reform efforts, according to Kuffa. It mentions that this situation could be viewed by the European Commission as a violation of the recovery plan milestones.
In the U.S., they want to make it possible to buy guns online.
The article reports that approximately three million people in the United States are expected to purchase firearms online annually. It highlights the potential for profit, particularly mentioning Donald Trump's son as someone who could benefit from this trend.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Maintaining current U.S. support for NATO is ridiculous, Trump says
The European Commission has published a report on the implementation of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs in the European Union.
