Will history be rewritten? RTV is supposed to have disappeared the recordings of the period of independence

A recent controversy has emerged over the availability of historical footage from Slovenia’s period of self-determination, with claims that certain recordings have become inaccessible through RTV Slovenija's online archive. A journalist named Gašper Blažič posted on social media, noting that several television news programs, reports, and other broadcasts from the time of Slovenia’s independence were no longer available on RTV Slovenija’s website. While these clips remain recorded within the system, users attempting to view them receive a message stating that the content is unavailable. Blažič described his observations, explaining that while the archives once contained extensive coverage of the self-determination era, including TV news segments and reports from the war years, many of these materials have recently disappeared from public access. He noted that although the entries still exist in the database, they are no longer accessible via the web. “I’ve noticed this for quite some time,” he wrote. “When I try to watch anything, I get a brief written notice that the recording isn’t available.” The issue has sparked speculation about potential political motivations. Some suggest that current political figures might be influencing the removal of such content, possibly to prevent direct exposure of sensitive information. Blažič pointed out that during the 15th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence, the TV news segments from 1990, 1991, and parts of 1992 were shown as part of the “Seventh Power of Self-Determination” program. However, on RTV’s website, there was nothing left except what some loyal supporters had uploaded onto YouTube. This situation comes amid a broader political debate surrounding RTV Slovenija. For years, representatives of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) and some right-wing commentators have criticized the national broadcaster for allegedly diminishing the importance of the self-determination era or altering how it is presented. RTV has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that its approach is neutral and factual. The dispute intensified following changes to the RTV law and leadership in 2023, leading to renewed criticism of state media. In response to inquiries, RTV Slovenija clarified that none of the recordings from the self-determination period have been deleted. According to their statement, all footage is preserved within the TV documentation department in accordance with the law. They emphasized that the website rtvslo.si and the RTV 365 app are not traditional archives but rather platforms for live or on-demand viewing. Access to archived material is governed by copyright rules, which typically allow for ten years of online availability before content is removed from public access. However, RTV explained that the material is still accessible through the TV Documentation service. They highlighted that many items from the self-determination era remain freely available online, particularly on special thematic portals created for the 25th and 30th anniversaries of Slovenia’s independence. These pages compile numerous archival contributions, news programs, reports, documentaries, and other historical recordings from that time. The discussion thus centers around two key points: Blažič argues that many historical recordings are no longer accessible via the internet, while RTV insists that the footage has not been erased but is instead subject to restrictions due to copyright laws. The broadcaster maintains that the absence of certain content online does not equate to its deletion, nor does it imply a deliberate attempt to alter historical records. Instead, they attribute the limited availability to legal constraints governing digital distribution.