This master’s thesis examines the attempted depoliticization of RTV Slovenia through the 2022 changes in the governance of the national broacaster. It begins with a critical analysis of prevailing approaches to depoliticization, highlighting their conceptual limitations. It proposes a dual perspective: analyzing depoliticization both as a process and in terms of the effects of the proposed government amendment. This is further enriched by applying concepts of the discourse theory of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe – such as hegemony, antagonisms, chains of equivalence, and empty signifiers. Through a case study of the political aspects of RTV Slovenia’s governance reform, the thesis provides deeper insight into the political struggles surrounding the adoption of the
amendment. The findings indicate that the primary depoliticization strategies were articulated by the former governing parties, now in opposition, and RTV’s leadership, aiming to preserve the status quo. In contrast, the chain of equivalence among reform advocates achieved its goal with the resignation of RTV’s leadership, after which the coalition began to disintegrate. However, due to the manner and purpose of these changes, they cannot be classified as depoliticization in the sense used by most scholars in the field.
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