European Parliament to save Czech freedom of press

On April 1, Czech parliament passed a controversial law threatening investigative journalism.  The law states a complete ban over publishing of information coming from police as well as other smaller prohibitions such as the ban over publishing names of crime victims without his or her pre-approval.  Interestingly, in a time where Czech political parties are viciously disagreeing on a number of debates, the law reached large cross party support.

Michal Musil, 36, deputy editor of MF DNES, the second most widely read newspaper in the Czech Republic, says this is a “blatant attack on freedom of press by Czech politicians,” joining other critics in suggesting that self-interested politicians involved in scandals who are able to silence the police, will now also be able to silence the press. 

He goes on to give the European Parliament a new and surprise status as knight in shining armour, stating that “the European Parliament is our glimmer of hope in this affair”, highlighting its “respected force” in influencing national politics.

 

What was your initial reaction when you learned about the new law?

I was shocked and confused.  When this law first came through last Autumn, it was very worrying for us members of the Czech media, at first not so much for the fact that it existed – indeed we were all convinced that it would naturally be repealed by the upper house – but more because of the fact that there had been no open debate about it.  We only heard about the idea of such severe measures once they had been made legal.  We felt we had deliberately been blocked out from the whole process.

 

Could you tell me what this “muzzle law”, as you call it, actually means for practicing journalists in the Czech Republic?

Let’s say you receive information, through wiretappings for instance, about a politician’s dubious ties with a businessman.  Even if you feel that it is in the interest of the public to spread this information, you are not allowed to publish it.  If you do, you may face a fine of up to 180,000 Euros, along with a maximum jail sentence of 5 years.  It really doesn´t matter that you know the information about this strange exchange between business and politics will most probably never be analysed by a court; and it doesn’t matter that it will never be revealed to the public because the police file has been closed for some suspicious reason.

Basically, the law means we could be sent to jail for up to five years simply for doing our job.

To put this figure into context, and I think it is important to stress the severity of the punishment, the heaviest possible sentence for dissemination of child pornography for example is three years in prison.

 

What does this law mean from a more philosophical perspective?

Really what this law is, is a first significant step against freedom of press.  And what makes it particularly dangerous for us, is that if politicians get away with it, there will be other, and perhaps more significant steps.

 

Would you say that Czech politicians are no longer appreciating the importance of the press in a functioning democracy?

I am afraid that is exactly the problem.  If you look at the main protagonists in Czech cross-party politics today, you can see a real generational change.  People who are in power are no longer the pre-1989 anti-communist dissidents.  This means that their understanding and respect for the freedom of press is extremely vague and weak.  Also, there is a broad consensus within Czech politics right now that the power of the media is excessive and that this power needs to be kept in tap. 

 

Would you say this reflects an identity crisis within Czech politics then?

No, I would not say so.  Or more to the point, I would not put it in that way.  What we have seen recently is a war which is going on within the sphere of Czech politics, with very strong words being used.  Politicians have however decided that this is their war.  They do not agree with each other, but at the same time they do not want anybody to interfere with their business.   They are trying to shut us out.

 

What kind of support, if at all, are you getting on an EU level?

There is some definite support coming from the European Parliament with increasing amounts of the main parties having expressed solidarity with our cause and promised help. 

Indeed the European Parliament is really where our hope lies in this affair, although we have been unlucky with timing.  Indeed, the up-coming elections and the waiting for a “new” parliament to be formed has put us, together with our cause, in stand-by.

Once the European Parliament has started functioning again normally I think this could really help.  If there is an effective pressure coming from abroad, and from such a heavyweight political entity,

I feel that politicians who have so far ignored local criticisms may start to listen. 

This is a glimmer of hope for us. 

 

Any other “glimmers of hope”?

Yes, there are a few more.  There is the constitutional court which we could go to, although I do not know how effective this would be. We also have a new prime minister who has expressed a wish to change the law, but my fear here lies in the fact that he is only an interim prime minister, and his six months in power will not be enough.

 

What is the public opinion on this matter?  Has there been an outcry?

According to a recent survey, it seems that the vast majority of the public thinks we are right in our cause.  However, I must admit that there has been no tangible and overt public demonstration of this position.

 

What picture can you paint for the future if nothing is changed?

The first consequence I see, as I said before, is that there will be more steps taken against media and the freedom of press.

The second real problem I see ahead is that this law may set a bad example for other European countries.  And when I say this, I am not just talking about ex-communist Eastern European countries, I am also talking about other governments in power in Western countries.  For instance, I would not say that Mr Berlusconi is a friend of free press! 

Freedom of press is not only important for healthy democratic countries, but it is also crucial for citizens, and the protection of their freedoms.  I just hope law-makers in my country will come to their senses.

 

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