European elections: Racist electoral advertisement should not have been aired

Czech television and radio stations have stopped broadcasting an advertisement for the European elections by the non-parliamentary extreme right-wing National Party in the wake of massive protests. The advertisement referred to a "final solution to the Gypsy question". Both public broadcasters then filed lawsuits against the National Party. The left-leaning daily Právo wonders why the advert was broadcast in the first place: "Yes, the electoral law does allow for competing parties being given broadcasting time on radio and television. It also stipulates that responsibility for the content of advertisements lies with the parties. ... But very understandably that does not mean that the television and radio startions bear no responsibility whatsoever and can broadcast contents that are banned by the laws governing them. ... In their own interest the media should make sure in advance that they do not broadcast anything that can render them liable to prosecution, and interrupt live broadcasts if need be."

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