The lower house of the Czech parliament began meeting today to discuss a bitter row over public Czech Television, whose new director is under heavy
pressure to resign after accusations of political bias.
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Jiri Hodac |
It was not clear if lawmakers would agree a resolution calling on the new chief, Mr Jiri Hodac, to quit, but analysts say he will probably be ousted in weeks.
Mr Hodac today remains in hospital where he was taken on yesterday after what appeared to be a breakdown from exhaustion.
He was chosen last month by the Czech Television Council dominated by the two main Czech parties, the ruling Social Democrats and their opposition ally, the Civic Democrats (ODS).
The appointment sparked a staff strike over alleged political interference at the country's dominant broadcaster and a public outcry backed by President Vaclav Havel.
The station's journalists, who say Mr Hodac would slant news coverage in line with politicians' wishes, have occupied the newsroom and have been airing their own newscasts, which the new leadership often blacks out or replaces with its own news.
The stand-off, and massive public support for the staff, have made the Social Democrats withdraw their support for Mr Hodac.
Mr Hodac denies any bias. Tens of thousands of Czechs rallied in central Prague on Wednesday in support of the staff, in the largest public protest since demonstrations that overthrew communism in 1989. Reuters