Mass media in the Czech Republic

Last updated

The mass media in the Czech Republic refers to mass communication methods through broadcasting, publishing, and the Internet and their influence on population.

Contents

History

In November 1989, Czechoslovakia returned to a liberal democracy through the peaceful "Velvet Revolution" (led by Václav Havel and his Civic Forum). In the following years the country went through a rapid economic transformation. This also affected the media that became free of the heavy-handed control of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and were able to develop in a competitive environment. [1] However, even before the Velvet Revolution and despite the persecutions, there were illegally published magazines within the Samizdat phenomenon, which allowed for the circulation of dissident ideas among people who possessed positions of cultural power and authority.[ clarification needed ] Václav Havel – the last president of Czechoslovakia from 1989 until its dissolution in 1992 – was one of them. Since the Soviet Union’s dissolution, most Czech media outlets have been owned by non-Czech western companies. This situation changed after the global economic recession of 2008, when many of them were acquired by Czech firms. In early 2014, eight out of the ten most influential figures in the media were Czech or Slovak.[ citation needed ]

Media outlets

Czech Republic has four main daily newspapers: Lidové noviny (former dissident publication); Mladá fronta DNES (with a centre-right orientation); Právo (with a centre-left political position) and Blesk, all based in Prague. [2] Both Lidové noviny and Mladá fronta DNES are a part of the MAFRA publishing group, owned by Andrej Babiš, the former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. As of 2018, the MAFRA group is a part of a trust fund along with other Babiš's companies. [3]

Blesk, a tabloid newspaper, with more than 1 million readers per average issue is the most-read national daily newspaper. [4] Blesk’s publisher Czech News Center also publishes Aha!, another tabloid newspaper which focuses on the news about the Czech celebrities. Overall the country accounts for 7 print news outlets and over 20 online news portals. [5]

There has been a decline in circulation on Czech daily newspapers since 2009, which slowed down in 2016. [6] In the same year Seznam Zpravy and Info.cz were launched. [6] The first one, a news site combining daily video, text-based news and video commentaries, was introduced by the country’s leading web portal and second-biggest search engine Seznam.cz and has quickly become the top online news media in the country. [6] On the other hand, Info.cz was launched by the Czech News Center as a news server with the aim of emphasising quality information. [6]

Finally, the Czech News Agency (Česká tisková kancelář or ČTK in Czech), previously the national state press agency, is the first and main Czech media with domestic and foreign information services. As it is not financed with state budget, its income derives from selling news to subscribers. [7]

Television and radio

Commercial television has a major place in the Czech media landscape and attracts almost half of the total advertising spend. [6] Before the collapse of communism, the only broadcaster in Czech Republic was the Czechoslovak Television, which was transformed into the public service broadcaster “Czech Television” in 1992. Czech Television operates two terrestrial public broadcast channels: mainstream CT1 and cultural channel CT2, while CT24 (for news) is a digital public channel. [2] The first national commercial licence was granted to Television Nova in 1993. The TV station soon gained a dominant position on the television market managing to keep it so far. Prima televize is the second private national TV channel. [2] Broadcast media regulatory authority is the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (RRTV), while public-service ČT is regulated by its own council. [8]

Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. In Division Two of the Charter, Article 17, these expression rights are defined: however, the Charter prohibits speech that might infringe on national security, individual rights, public health, or morality. [9] Defamation is still a crime in the country, although in 2005 the Constitutional Court ruling found [10] that value judgement is legally protected. [8] Cross-ownership in the media industry is legally limited under the Law on Radio and Television Broadcasting No. 231 of 2001, which defines the license and regulation policy for broadcasting and the role of Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting. However, these ownership restrictions do not apply to foreign ownership and are considered to be “minimal” by some observers. [4] Other important regulations are the Press Law (No. 46/2000), the Act on Czech Television No. 483 and the Act on Czech Radio No. 484. Both began to apply in 1991 and have been amended several times. They provide on the so-called “small” councils that control only Czech Radio and Czech TV (ČT).[ further explanation needed ] Moreover, Law No. 106 of 1999 regulates the Free Access to Information, Law No. 45 of 1995 regulates Advertisements and the discipline regarding copyright is provided by Law No. 35 of 1996.

Media freedom and censorship

In 2021 Reporters without Borders (RSF) ranked Czechia 40 out of 180 countries in its 2021 World Press Freedom Index, down from 13 in 2015. [11] However RSF also underlined the fact that in recent years there had been a “rise of the oligarchs” in the media landscape, and stated that the public broadcaster Czech Television "is facing an upheaval after some of the members of its supervisory board were replaced by well-known figures who are very critical of investigative reporting". [11] [12] In its 2016 report, Freedom House stated that criminal defamation, concentrated media ownership as well as ownership of media by politicians as the main obstacles for media freedom. [8] In 2021 Freedom House stated that Prime Minister Andrej Babiš had been increasing his control over Czech media since 2013, when he bought Mafra media group. During the Covid-19 pandemic Mafra benefited disproportionately from state aid. [13] Some notable incidents concerning censorship and media freedom took place in the country:

Disinformation

According to the Prague Security Studies Institute, there is a pro-Russian disinformation campaign originating from numerous pro-Russian websites, social media communities, printed periodicals as well as radio broadcasts targeting Czechs and Slovaks. [18]

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the private association CZ.NIC, which administers the .cz web domains, blocked 8 websites considered to be used for Russian propaganda. [19] David Kotora, from Transparency International Czech Republic, confirmed that the sites blocked have been used by Russia to spread propaganda for many years. He however also warned against censorship type of measures that should be limited in time in order not to stifle the freedom of speech. [19]

Media ownership

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, all mass media in Czechoslovakia were governed by the state, state organisations or political parties. [4] Since the Soviet Union's dissolution, most Czech newspapers used to be owned by non-Czech western conglomerates: until 2007, 70% of Czech magazines and newspapers were owned by German and Swiss corporations. The process of the media returning to Czech ownership started with the 2008 financial crisis. [20] The restructuring of ownership culminated in 2015 when the German Verlagsgruppe Passau, the last major non-Czech European media group in the country, left the market: it sold its local publishing house Vltava Labe Media to Penta Investments, which owns media holdings both in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia. Despite this media ownership turmoil, research shows that journalists are not affected by the ownership change and tend to view journalism ethics and the ability of journalism to exert power more seriously than before. [21] The new ownership structure of Czech media led to an increase in live news coverage, tabloid-style content and so-called Google journalism, although investigative journalism is still strong in the country. [8] On the other hand, the increase of the ownership concentration presents a threat to the media pluralism of the country. [22] Andrej Babiš, former Czech Prime Minister, owns two of the most influential daily newspapers (Lidové Noviny and Mlada Fronta Dnes) and one of the most popular news website iDnes.cz. [12] However, some experts consider the Czech Republic to be one of the hubs in the EU territory for the few Pan-European media companies controlling large part of broadcasting market in Europe. [23]

See also

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia</span> Czech political party

The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia is a communist party in the Czech Republic. As of 2022, KSČM has a membership of 20,450, and is a member party of The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL in the European Parliament, and an observer member of the European Left Party. Sources variously describe the party as either left-wing or far-left on the political spectrum. It is one of the few former ruling parties in post-Communist Central Eastern Europe to have not dropped the Communist title from its name, although it has changed its party program to adhere to laws adopted after 1989.

The mass media in Communist Czechoslovakia was controlled by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ). Private ownership of any publication or agency of the mass media was generally forbidden, although churches and other organizations published small periodicals and newspapers. Even with this informational monopoly in the hands of organizations under KSČ control, all publications were reviewed by the government's Office for Press and Information. Censorship was lifted for three months during the 1968 Prague Spring but afterward was reimposed under the terms of the 1966 Press Law. The law states that the Czechoslovak press is to provide complete information, but it must also advance the interests of socialist society and promote the people's socialist awareness of the policy of the communist party as the leading force in society and state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miloš Zeman</span> President of the Czech Republic from 2013 to 2023

Miloš Zeman is a Czech politician who served as the third president of the Czech Republic from 2013 to 2023. He also previously served as the prime minister of the Czech Republic from 1998 to 2002. As leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party, he is credited with the revival of the party into one of the country's major political forces. Zeman briefly served as the President of the Chamber of Deputies from 1996 to 1998.

<i>Mladá fronta Dnes</i> Czech newspaper

Mladá fronta Dnes, also known as MF DNES or simply Dnes (Today), is a daily newspaper based in the Czech Republic. As of 2016, it is the second-largest Czech newspaper, after the tabloid Blesk.

<i>Lidové noviny</i> Czech daily newspaper

Lidové noviny is a daily newspaper published in Prague, the Czech Republic. It is the oldest Czech daily still in print, and a newspaper of record. It is a national news daily covering political, economic, cultural and scientific affairs, mostly with a centre-right, conservative view. It often hosts commentaries and opinions of prominent personalities from the Czech Republic and from abroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josef Tošovský</span> Czech economist and former governor of Czech National Bank

Josef Tošovský is a Czech economist and former governor of Czech National Bank. From 17 December 1997 to 22 July 1998 he was the prime minister of the Czech Republic in a caretaker government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martina Sáblíková</span> Czech speed skater and cyclist

Martina Sáblíková is a Czech speed skater, specializing in long track speed skating. She is an Olympic gold medal winner and a multiple European and World allround champion. She became the first Czech to win two Olympic gold medals at one Winter Games in 2010. Sáblíková also competes in inline speed skating and road cycling races as a part of her summer preparation for the skating season. In cycling, she focuses on individual time trial discipline in which Sáblíková holds multiple Czech Republic National Championships titles and belongs to the world's top 15 female time-trialists. Sáblíková is the elder sister of fellow speedskater Milan Sáblík.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Czech Pirate Party</span> Political party in the Czech Republic

The Czech Pirate Party or Pirates is a liberal progressive political party in the Czech Republic, founded in 2009. The party was founded as a student-driven grassroots movement campaigning for political transparency, civil rights and direct democracy.

Reflex is a Czech weekly magazine focusing on political, social and cultural topics. It was founded in 1990 and is currently owned by company Czech News Center. It is one of the Czech Republic's most controversial and widely read social-political magazines; its print circulation of 60,000 copies reaches approximately 270,000 readers. Polls conducted by the Czech Publishers Association in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 placed Reflex first in its category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ludvík Kundera</span> Czech writer

Ludvík Kundera was a Czech writer, translator, poet, playwright, editor and literary historian. He was a notable exponent of Czech avant-garde literature and a prolific translator of German authors. In 2007, he received the Medal of Merit for service to the Republic. In 2009, he was awarded the Jaroslav Seifert Award, presented by the Charter 77 Foundation. Kundera was a cousin of Czech-French writer Milan Kundera and nephew of the pianist and musicologist also named Ludvík Kundera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mafra (company)</span> Czech media company

Mafra is a Czech media group that publishes printed and internet media, headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic. It is a subsidiary of Agrofert holding conglomerate owned by trust of Andrej Babiš, the former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Mafra owns some of the most popular media in the Czech Republic, including MF DNES and Lidové noviny newspapers, and the most visited Czech news server iDnes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomio Okamura</span> Czech far-right politician

Tomio Okamura is a Czech far-right politician and entrepreneur. He founded the Czech political parties Dawn of Direct Democracy and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). Since October 2013, he has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic (MP), initially for Dawn of Direct Democracy and then from May 2015 for SPD, of which he is also leader. He previously served as an independent Senator for Zlín district from October 2012 until his election to the Chamber of Deputies a year later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Czech political corruption scandal</span>

The 2013 Czech political corruption scandal started with a raid against organized crime which was conducted in the Czech Republic in June 2013 by the Police Unit for Combating Organized Crime and the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Olomouc. It involved several highly positioned state officers and politicians, as well as controversial entrepreneurs and lobbyists. The scandal affected the top levels of Czech politics, including Prime Minister Petr Nečas and his coalition government. On 17 June 2013, it resulted in the resignation of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. Nečas also quit as leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Czech parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in the Czech Republic on 20 and 21 October 2017. All 200 members of the Chamber of Deputies were elected and Andrej Babiš of ANO 2011, also the leader of the resultant government, became the Prime Minister. The coalition government following the 2013 parliamentary elections consisted of the two largest parties: the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) of Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, and ANO 2011 (ANO), led by former Finance Minister and businessman Andrej Babiš, alongside the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU–ČSL). The largest opposition party was the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM), followed by centre-right parties TOP 09 and the Civic Democratic Party (ODS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrej Babiš</span> Czech politician and businessman

Andrej Babiš is a Czech politician and entrepreneur who served as the prime minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021. He previously served as the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister from 2014 to 2017. Babiš has been the founding leader of the political party ANO 2011 since 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiří Korn</span> Czech musician and actor

Jiří Korn is a Czech recording artist and actor. Korn is a highly acclaimed musician in his native Czechoslovakia, and remains after his five decade long career one of the most prominent Czech singer-songwriters, but is internationally perhaps best known for his single Miss Moskva, which received radio play in most European countries, including France, Germany, Croatia, Hungary and Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leoš Mareš</span> Czech musician

Leoš Mareš is a Czech television and radio presenter and singer. He has hosted a number of singer search television programmes, including Česko hledá SuperStar, X Factor and Hlas Česko Slovenska. He joined Česko Slovensko má talent as a judge in 2013. He is one of the highest-paid television presenters in the Czech Republic. A 2014 Forbes report listed Mareš as one of the 50 most influential people in Czech media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio Impuls (Czech Republic)</span> Czech private radio station

Radio Impuls is a private radio station founded in the Czech Republic in 1999 when it replaced the nationwide station Rádio Alfa, which lost its license.. It is the most popular radio station in the country by number of listeners. Since 2014, it has been owned by Agrofert group, a company owned by Andrej Babiš, the second richest man and former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

Events from the year 2017 in the Czech Republic

<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic</span> Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in the Czech Republic

The COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The first three confirmed cases in the Czech Republic were reported on 1 March 2020. On 12 March, the government declared a state of emergency, for the first time in the country's modern history for the area of the entire country. On 16 March, the country closed its borders, forbade the entry of foreigners without residence permits, and issued a nationwide curfew. While originally planned to be in effect until 24 March, the measures were later extended until 1 April and then again until the end of State of Emergency which was extended by the Chamber of Deputies until 30 April 2020 and then again until 17 May 2020.

References

  1. ↑ Kettle, Steve (1996). "The development of the Czech media since the fall of communism". Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics. 12 (4): 42. doi:10.1080/13523279608415322.
  2. 1 2 3 "Czech Republic profile". BBC News. 2015. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  3. ↑ "Babiš puts his Agrofert in trust fund over conflict of interest". Prague Daily Monitor (originally ČTK). 6 February 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Czech Republic - Media Landscape | European Journalism Centre (EJC)". European Journalism Centre (EJC). Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  5. ↑ "Czech Republic Newspapers & News Media - ABYZ News Links". www.abyznewslinks.com. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Czech Republic". Digital News Report. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  7. ↑ Eva Rybková, Veˇra Rˇihácˇková (2013). Mapping Digital Media: Czech Republic (PDF). Open Society Foundations.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Czech Republic". freedomhouse.org. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  9. ↑ "Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "Defamation and Insult Laws in the OSCE Region: A Comparative Study". European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (in Italian). Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  11. 1 2 "Czech Republic". Reporters Without Borders.
  12. 1 2 "Czech Republic : Rise of the oligarchs | Reporters without borders". RSF (in French). Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  13. ↑ "Czech Republic: Nations in Transit 2021 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "The Czech Republic Press, Media, TV, Radio, Newspapers - television, circulation, stations, papers, number, print, freedom, broadcasting". www.pressreference.com. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  15. ↑ "The Czech Media Landscape - European Journalism Observatory - EJO". en.ejo.ch. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  16. ↑ "IPI condemns military police raid on Czech television offices". International Press Institute. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  17. ↑ "Czech media freedom: Let citizens decide fate of media-abusing politicians | News | European Parliament" . Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  18. ↑ "The pro-Russian disinformation campaign in the Czech Republic and Slovakia". Resource Centre, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  19. 1 2 Sanchez, Elena; Kanter, James (1 March 2022). "EU begins belated crackdown on Kremlin disinformation". EUobserver. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  20. ↑ Lenka Waschková Císařová, Monika Metyková (2015). "Better the Devil You Don't Know: Post -Revolutionary Journalism and Media Ownership in The Czech Republic". Media Studies. 6–11: 15.
  21. ↑ Roman, Hájek; Sandra, Štefaniková; Filip, Láb; Alice, Tejkalová (2015). "Czech Journalists' Refreshed Sense of Ethics in the Midst of Media Ownership Turmoil". Media and Communication. 3 (4): 52–61. doi: 10.17645/mac.v3i4.348 .
  22. ↑ "Local oligarch conflicts of interest dominate Czech media | Reporters without borders". RSF (in French). Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  23. ↑ "Media ownership: towards Pan-European groups?". Respurce Centre, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.