Lawmakers discuss Czech TV crisis

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- The Czech lower house of parliament is meeting to discuss the bitter protests over the control of the state television station.

It is not clear whether lawmakers will agree a resolution calling on station director Jiri Hodac to quit, but unnamed analysts quoted by Reuters news agency said he would probably be ousted shortly due to a legal amendment.

The meeting on Friday comes as Hodac remains in hospital after suffering what appeared to be a breakdown from exhaustion.

He had been under increasing pressure since his appointment on December 20 which was opposed by journalists who say he is too closely tied to former Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus and would compromise journalistic integrity.

Hodac, who had been under pressure to resign, was said to be feeling better on Friday as doctors continued examinations, having found no major illness so far.

The station's journalists, who say Hodac would slant news coverage in line with politicians' wishes, have occupied the newsroom and have been airing their own newscasts, which the new leadership often blacks out or replaces with its own news.

The stand-off, and massive public support for the staff, have made the Social Democrats withdraw their support for Hodac.

Hodac has been accused of mainly siding with the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) of Vaclav Klaus, which now remains the only major group that backs him. Hodac denies any bias.

"We will call on the council to dismiss him," Social Democrat deputy Michal Kraus said ahead of the meeting. The house cannot fire Hodac directly.

Such a resolution appeared to have a chance of approval. But the ODS has enough votes on the Czech TV Council to block such a move even if parliament asks for it.

The lower house will meet again, probably on January 12, to discuss a legal amendment to replace the council which selected Hodac with one whose members would be proposed by professional and civic groups, not by politicians.

Analysts said that even if Hodac holds on to his post for now, any new council, which would come in within a month after the law is passed, would dismiss him.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Czech TV boss rushed to hospital
January 4, 2001
Czech TV boss refuses to quit
January 4, 2001
Czech politicians tackle TV crisis
January 2, 2001
Czech TV strike supporters plan rally
January 3, 2001
Czech TV protesters receive support
January 1, 2001

Czech Republic
Czech Television
Czech Info Centre

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.