Political influences on Czechoslovak Radiojournal between September 1938 and March 1939

In the present work we strive to describe those political phenomena which influenced, directly or indirectly, Radiojournal Ltd., the only radio broadcaster in Czechoslovakia during 1923 - 1939. However, it is the period of the so-called 'second republic' that can be approximately set between the conclusion of the Munich Pact at the end of September 1938 and the occupation of the rest of Czechoslovakia on 15th March 1939, which is in the centre of our attention. At that time, the system of politics, power and social situation underwent a reconstitution marked above all by centralising efforts hand in hand with the suppression of liberal and democratic principles. Sometimes we talk about the so-called 'authoritative democracy'. Radiojournal could not escape these changes. Formally, it was a private company with 51 % of shares owned by the state. And civil servants or politicians themselves were members of the managing and supervisory bodies of this institution ever since 1925. This situation was maintained also during the 'second republic' when the grip of the state became even stronger. In the new situation, proposals were made to nationalize the institution. However, a number of changes were not implemented after all due to the short duration of the 'second republic's' domain. Many of these..