“In Slovenian.”

Here we go.

Letters. Appeals. Requests. Meetings. Explanations. Invitations. Coordination. Demands.

Preparations. Amendments. Changes to the law. Process. Procedure.

Competencies.

Time.

Persistence.

We are not giving up.

If we don’t defend our language, who will? But together.

Why don’t we tell this to those who discriminate against it? But together?

I have launched a very special website. With a very special purpose. And name.

Saying that Slovenia is a “small country” is just an excuse. Saying that it is “not worth it” for multinationals to offer their services in the language of the market (whichever it be) in which they are present is also an excuse. Nor do we agree that they are not explicitly obligated to do so by legislation. This concerns the basic respect for both the European Union’s motto of “united in diversity” and for one of its fundamental values: equality. In this case, linguistic equality.

Everyone should have the right to be able to use content in their mother tongue (at least) in their own country. Both in the physical and digital world. And this should apply regardless of the prevalence of a particular language or the size – or tininess, if you prefer – of a particular market.

Let us not stop here. We need binding solutions. At the European level, some of the amendments have recently been incorporated into the Digital Services Act, while others, even more crucial, are foreseen by the Media Freedom Act. I was actively involved in the drafting of both of these acts as one of the Parliament’s negotiators.

Meanwhile, at the national level, the authorities are working on amendments to the Public Use of the Slovenian Language Act, and I will turn my attention to the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. It will clearly be necessary to include in the text and among the requirements an explicit reference to the prohibition of linguistic discrimination, next to all its other forms.

The European Commission, whose task it is to undertake changes or revisions, is already aware of my plans. I am in the process of working on concrete proposals. Unfortunately, this cannot be done overnight. Procedures at the European level are lengthy.

But … we’re not giving up. It’s important that you don’t either. Your voice should be heard as well. Your direct support for the Slovenian language, with clear messages for the multinationals concerned, will add value to all efforts and, above all, add to the pressure.

All the relevant information can be found at www.poslovensko.si