When Freimut Duve, the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), quit his job in December of 2003 because his mandate ended after six years, he delivered his last regular report to the permanent council, saying: “Six years ago there was great hope in the world for those countries that came from a very dramatic past where freedom for writers and journalists was non-existent. […] Back in the nineties we all felt confident that we would be able to overcome the burden of the past in the structure of many media outlets in the newly emerging democracies. […] We had not foreseen that in the following six years the situation would change not for the better.”1 Duve does not analyse the Eastern and Central European media as still being stuck in communism or repressed by their governments. What he does state though, is a lack of really free, investigative journalism in former communist countries. This essay will take a closer look at these accusations and discuss possible reasons for the existing problems. The different approaches to the media’s function in communism and democracy will be explained (chapter 2), and transition difficulties from one system into the other will then be highlighted (3). Chapter 4 will go deeper into the events that took place in the Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. The conclusion will finally not only summarize the essay’s findings but also look further into the future and try to give possible solutions for the occurring problems. 1 Duve, 2003, p.1
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Media and its function
2.1 Media in democratic systems
2.2 Media under communism
3. Transition problems
4. Media in the Czech Republic – a case study
4.1 Historical background
4.2 Old habits
4.3 Failed privatization
4.4 Western investors
4.5 Embracing capitalism
4.6 Politics
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This paper examines the challenges faced by the media in post-communist countries, specifically focusing on the Czech Republic's transition to a democratic media market. It explores why, despite the fall of communism, independent and investigative journalism has struggled to take root due to lingering habits, problematic privatization, and the influence of foreign investors.
- Comparison of media functions in democratic vs. communist systems
- The "habituation phase" and the generational gulf in journalism
- Impact of "Communism in Reverse" on objective reporting
- Effects of foreign-owned media and commercialization on quality
- Political influence and the lack of a genuine public discourse
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Old habits
As mentioned above, these habits are hard to get rid of. Jan Culik, a Czech born lecturer at Glasgow University, is one of the strongest critics of Czech media today. He analyses the deeply rooted habits of supporting the regime and comes up with the result that journalists who have been suppressed for twenty years are simply not able to construct public discourse. Many people, not only journalists, find it difficult to understand the principles of tolerance and critical thinking. Instead, says Culik, many journalists simply switched sides – “where they once generated propaganda for the communist regime, they now uncritically support the anticommunist government.”30 Put in simple words, Culik accuses the media to have loved Stalin all the time and now suddenly love Václav Klaus just the same and even brand anyone a communist who would criticise him at all – a pattern that does not only show in the media but all through society.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on Eastern European media and the central problem of missing investigative journalism post-communism.
2. Media and its function: Defines the theoretical roles of media in both democratic and communist systems, highlighting their fundamental differences.
3. Transition problems: Discusses the difficulties of transforming media structures, including the generational shift and the lack of critical thinking skills.
4. Media in the Czech Republic – a case study: Analyzes the specific development of Czech print media, including privatization issues and political influence.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes findings and argues that post-communist nations must confront their historical context to build a truly free media.
Keywords
Czech Republic, Media Transition, Journalism, Communism, Democracy, Investigative Journalism, Privatization, Western Investors, Public Discourse, Political Influence, Post-communism, Freedom of the Press, Habituation Phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The paper focuses on the state of the media in post-communist countries, with a specific case study on the Czech Republic, exploring why journalism has struggled to adapt to democratic standards.
What are the central themes discussed?
The themes include the theoretical differences between media in democracies and communist regimes, the legacy of political interference, the failure of privatization, and the influence of foreign commercial interests.
What is the main research question?
The work investigates whether the Czech press is successfully developing into a genuine, democratic media market, or if it remains hindered by past habits and new economic pressures.
Which methodology is applied in the study?
The author uses a qualitative approach, combining literature analysis on media systems with a specific case study of the Czech media market post-1989.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main part analyzes the historical background of Czech media, the persistence of old journalistic habits, the controversial privatization of media outlets, and the role of Western investment and politics.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include journalism, transition, Czech Republic, post-communism, investigative journalism, and media ownership.
How did the voucher privatization affect Czech media?
The paper argues that the privatization process was flawed, often allowing old communist elites to retain control or transferring ownership in ways that excluded the public, thereby preventing newspapers from becoming true watchdogs.
What does the author conclude about the future of Czech media?
The author concludes that while there are signs of improvement, genuine democratic media requires more than just systemic changes; it necessitates a long-term shift in professional ethics and a better understanding of the media's role by both politicians and owners.
- Quote paper
- Birte Müller-Heidelberg (Author), 2004, Journalism in Transition - Is the Czech Press developing into a democratic media market?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/26872
