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Coalition's Influencer Mimi Šramová Paid by Multiple State Institutions Simultaneously

From SME · () Slovak

Translated from Slovak and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Miriam Šramová, a pro-government influencer in Slovakia, allegedly receives thousands of euros monthly from state institutions and political parties for her YouTube content.
  • Documents suggest Šramová holds or has held agreements with at least five state bodies, including the Government Office and the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • She previously claimed her work was voluntary, but reports indicate substantial payments, including from parties like Republika and Sme rodina during election campaigns.

Slovak pro-government influencer Miriam Šramová, known for her YouTube interviews with political figures, is reportedly earning thousands of euros monthly from state institutions and political parties, despite her claims of doing the work voluntarily. Investigative reporting by SME reveals documents indicating that Šramová has or had agreements with at least five state entities, including the Government Office and the Ministry of Agriculture. This revelation challenges her public assertion that her content is produced in her free time without payment. The payments, described as substantial, allegedly come from public funds, raising questions about the use of taxpayer money. Furthermore, reports indicate that during election campaigns, Šramová received significant sums from political parties such as Republika, Sme rodina, and ĽSNS. Since the current government took office in 2023, Šramová has reportedly enjoyed exclusive access to ministers and other government officials, conducting interviews that are characterized as uncritical and lacking in opposition. This situation highlights a potential conflict of interest and raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of public funds being channeled to influencers who provide seemingly biased coverage.

I will continue to support media that have a different opinion than SME and Denník N, and I will support them more. I will provide financial resources for it.

· Richard TakáčMinister of Agriculture Richard Takáč stated his intention to financially support media outlets critical of SME and Denník N, in a conversation with Šramová.
About this summary

Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.