Freedom of expression and freedom of the media

Media representatives agreed that journalists benefited from a secure environment in the Czech Republic and that overall the situation was better than in some neighbouring countries. Freedom of expression and media freedom were solidly protected in the Czech Charter of fundamental rights and freedoms. 

However, participants also assessed that the general trend was going in the wrong direction. Journalists in the Czech Republic did not normally risk their lives as in some other countries and some attempts to put pressure on some journalists had failed. For example, a "muzzle" bill had been proposed a few years ago which could have restricted the work of journalists, but it was never passed. In the area of libel, the Constitutional Court also ruled that public figures could not claim the same level of protection against defamation as private persons, thus reducing the risks of abusive lawsuits against journalists on such basis.

However, the influence of politicians (including from the highest level)on media was considered particularly problematic. The few main media owners of the country were depicted as combining business profit with political influence – including through the propagation of fake news. Participants shared their concerns with regards to the recent barring of representatives of international media from a press conference of the Prime Minister with his Hungarian counterpart, which was unprecedented. Questioned by the EESC delegation about the motivation for such exclusion and its possible link to ongoing legal proceedings concerning the Prime Minister, the representatives of the authorities did not express their views. Participants saw local media as particularly at risk of being influenced by local politicians. There was however also a public demand for quality and independent information, which explained the success of some media projects in that area. The Czech authorities explained that the legislation on conflicts of interest prevented public officials from directly carrying out TV, radio or magazine broadcasting, but that this did not prevent holding shares in the media market. 

Participants felt that the increasing economic fragility of the media sector made media outlets more prone to influence. Social media platforms absorbed the vast majority of advertising revenue, leaving only a slight share to classical media producing content. This trend had accelerated with the COVID19 crisis, as its impact on the economy dried up sources of advertising. As a result, some of the smallest and weakest media outlets had to close down or undertake restructuration, and the precarious conditions of journalists increased. Many journalists have been working under precarious work contracts or as freelancers, while membership of journalist trade unions has decreased, following a similar trend in other European countries.

Although media representatives considered that there was no topic that could not be covered by journalists in the country, they also considered that the risk of self-censorship was on the rise. The number of investigative journalists able to sustain lengthy investigations was considered very low, and there were not many vocations for such career amongst the youth. Participants considered it essential to obtain better support for quality journalism, including through training on how to treat and analyse information.

Participants also felt that the independence of public media was in danger. Until recently, there had not been real attempts of political interference in content by members of media supervisory bodies elected by the parliament. However, a trend had emerged in that direction, in particular in relation to the public broadcaster Czech Television.