Czech TV news back on air

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Czech state television officials are to stop blacking out news broadcasts produced by journalists protesting against the appointment of a new director.

Czech TV news chief Jana Bobosikova said officials had to end the blackouts because a public broadcasting law stated that the station's news broadcasts must originate from the main facility in Prague, which striking journalists are occupying.

"We are complying with the law," Bobosikova said.

The station's boss, Jiri Hodac, was appointed to the post by the Czech Television Council on December 20.

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But his appointment by the council, dominated by nominees of the ruling Social Democrats (CSSD) and their parliamentary ally, the Civic Democrats (ODS), sparked the occupation strike by employees who maintained that he would slant news coverage in line with the parties' wishes.

Hodac was accused of siding with the ODS party, which is now the only major group backing him. He denies any bias.

The station's journalists have dug in at the newsroom and have been producing their own newscasts, which the new leadership had been blacking out and replacing with makeshift programmes prepared by a small loyal team.

Those broadcasts were beamed from private studios.

The rebellious staff have won the support of President Vaclav Havel and the vast majority of the public.

Tens of thousands of people rallied in downtown Prague to support the employees last Wednesday in the largest public protest since demonstrations which overthrew the communism in 1989. Another major rally is planned for Thursday.

The outpouring of public support and growing interest in the stand-off abroad made the CSSD withdraw its endorsement of Hodac.

Politicians on Tuesday began mulling ways on how to dismiss Hodac. The parliament is due to meet on Friday to rush through a new public television law, which would sack the defiant council within 30 days after approval.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Czech TV
Czech Republic

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