The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and journalists for media freedom, is delighted to welcome the IPI Czech National Committee into its fold.

Amid the growing threat to independent journalism in Central Europe, the newly formed Czech National Committee aims to defend press freedom and safety of journalists and support independent media in the country.

The Committee’s founding members are Robert Břešťan (HlídacíPes.org), Robert Čásenský (Reporter magazine), Michal Klíma, Veronika Sedláčková (Czech Radio) and the institutional member Nadační fond nezávislé žurnalistiky (Endowment for Independent Journalism). Klima, a noted Czech journalist and senior media manager, was elected as the Committee’s first chairperson.

“It is important that we operate as a representative organization that derives its authority based on domestic media personalities as well as international prestige”, Klíma explained. “We want to defend freedom of the press and we will comment on situations when this freedom is restricted or violated.”

IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi added:

“The founding of the Czech National Committee comes at a critical moment for press freedom and independent journalism in the Czech Republic and in Central Europe more broadly, as political and business interests increasingly seek to silence, control or manipulate the news. We look forward to working closely with our members in the Czech Republic to defend quality, independent journalism and the free flow of news and information.”

The IPI Executive Board approved the formation of the Czech National Committee at a Board meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia, in November 2018.

Information and news from the Czech National Committee, as well as the group’s statute, can be found on the Committee’s website, www.czipi.cz. According to the statute, membership is limited to persons who have never participated in suppressing free speech, distorting information or impeding the free expression of news and opinion.