The Association for the Protection of Journalistic Ethics (APJE) and its executive body The Print-Digital Council of the Slovak Republic (PDC) – (former Press Council) are active in the field of ethical self-regulation of journalists since 2001. The Print-Digital Council adresses complaints about the possible violation of journalistic ethics, as well as motions concerning restraining the journalists’ access to information.
The foundation contract of the Association for the Protection of journalistic ethics in the Slovak republic was signed on October 2, 2001 by representatives of the Slovak Syndicate of Journalists and Slovak Press Publishers’ Association Aware of the challenges presented by online reporting and its increasing influence, the original founders of the APJE (publishers and journalists) have invited the top Internet association IAB Slovakia to join their ranks and to add more digital dimension. The Association for the Protection of journalistic ethics is led by an assembly of representatives, in which each of the member organisations has two members. The leaders of all organisations regularly take turns heading APJE.
The Print-Digital Council (former Press Council) was constituted in April 2002 and consists of nine members – in accordance with the approved STATUTE – figures of the public, cultural and social life that are not actively working as journalists or publishers and do not represent any political party.
Since its formation, the Print-Digital Council follows the Code of Journalistic Ethics.