Final Word from Thursday, September 2, 2021

Václav Moravec spoke on Sun. about the "mafia circle" at the Castle, which could be interpreted as being part of his long-running negative campaign against Andrej Babiš, given the link between Babiš and Miloš Zeman. Unlike private media, public stations have strict rules about maintaining impartiality. When the impartiality of Jakub Železný of Czech TV was called into question a year ago by Martin Veselovský of DVTV, Železný replied that when it comes right down to it, the right to free speech stands above the code of conduct of Czech TV. Theoretically, he said, he could express his own opinions on air. Both positive and negative campaigns by so-called third persons are covered under the election law, but radio and TV stations are exempt. A businessman who sells items that make fun of Babiš must register, but not a TV station that works against him. But what about ČT journalists who exercise their "freedom of speech" on air? Are they "third persons," subject to registration? [ Czech Republic ÚDHPSH television electoral OVM ]