The Committee for Editorial Independence advocates free journalism and oversees that the editors of the media house Economia carry out their work without any intervention of the owner.
The Economia media house aims to be a synonym of free, professional journalism, and that is why on the initiative of its owner and Board of Directors it set up the Committee for Editorial Independence (CEI). The CEI seeks to improve not only the Czech media environment, but also to advance the journalistic culture of Central and Eastern Europe, and possibly of other countries.
The CEI role’s as a completely independent body is to promote the idea of free media and to guarantee to readers and the general public that Economia’s journalists and editors may carry out their work free from inappropriate interference. Any journalist or editor of Economia who believes to have been subjected to direct or indirect interference from Economia’s owner may contact the CEI. Also, any other person outside Economia who can substantiate that the work of any of Economia’s journalists or editors has been affected by such interference may contact the CEI. The CEI does not deal with submissions which are evidently baseless or vexatious.
The CEI consists of respected journalists and media experts. The CEI is completely independent within the scope of its authority and reports neither to other Economia’s bodies nor to its shareholder. Therefore, its statements need not reflect the official opinion of the Economia media house.
Michal Klíma
Michal Klíma is a journalist, publisher and media manager. He is a co-founder and member of the Czech National Committee of the International Press Institute, chairman of the Board of the Holocaust Endowment Fund and member of the Board of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes. From March 2022 till February 2023, he was the Government Commissioner for Media and Disinformation. In December 1989, Michal Klíma co-founded the publishing house Lidové noviny. During his professional career he worked in management of various publishing houses. In the early 1990s, Michal Klíma co-founded the Czech Publishers’ Association. He later served as the Vice President of the World Association of Newspapers.
Submissions may be sent to the CEI also by e-mail to rada@economia.cz, or by post to the Economia’s address, attention Secretary of the Committee. In case a submission does not meet the criteria for its review and processing, the Secretary will notify the claimant and will request the submission to be supplemented with additional information. In case the Committee arrives at the conclusion that editorial freedom has been affected by interference from Economia’s shareholder, it may publish its findings and propose appropriate measures to the Board of Directors of Economia. The Secretary shall inform the claimant about the Committee’s decision.