Czech Republic: Babiš intensifies attacks on media
More than 20 Czech editors-in-chief have called on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and other politicians to respect free, independent and critical journalism. Their appeal comes in response to a social media post by the Prime Minister over the weekend in which he had attacked news outlets Seznam Zprávy and Novinky.cz and the daily newspaper Právo.
Resisting with facts and courage
Robert Čásenský, editor-in-chief of Seznam Zprávy, refuses to be intimidated:
“We describe things and events as they are. We do not write in a way that appeals to one political side or another. ... We hold those in power to account. We believe it is important for the public to know what is happening among decision-makers. ... Facts, courage, professionalism and openness are of central importance to the editorial team at Seznam Zprávy. We will stand by this no matter who attacks us, or from what position. We will not be intimidated, nor will we allow ourselves to be forced into the role of a political opponent.”
PM following Fico's example
Reflex draws a parallel between Babiš's attacks on the media and the tactics of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico:
“The Slovak government is notorious for its campaign against independent media, and this is clearly where Babiš's cabinet is getting its inspiration. Fico directs his attacks at media outlets he claims are politically biased, with the aim of delegitimising them. Fico's model also involves handpicking the journalists with whom the government communicates so as to avoid awkward questions. This is another reason why Slovakia has slipped to 38th place of the 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' global press freedom ranking. Hungary under Viktor Orbán, another ally of Babiš, is in 68th place, whilst the Czech Republic was still in a respectable tenth place last year. That could change rapidly.”