Jiří Pichl-journalist and politician (1872-1952)

This thesis represents the first complete biography of Jiří Pichl, a journalist and politician who was born in 1872 in Česká Třebová. Pichl started writing for a regional newspaper after finishing high school, in the times of progressive movement that was calling for a change in the status of Czech lands within the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, and expansion of voting rights. In the beginning of the 20th century he became the reporter in charge with a Czech National Social Party newspaper in Prague. He was also working with several papers published by the Melantrich publishing house. His journalism career peeked when he became a chair of the Czechoslovak Journalists Syndicate where he achieved pension insurance for journalists. During the First Republic, Pichl also started his political career. He became the first mayor of Královské (Royal) Vinohrady after the political overturn. Later he also became a senator of the National Assembly. As a politician he was also looking after the interests of journalists. He was very vocal in calling for a new press law. For many years, he was also a chair of the Central Workers' School. He lost all of his functions during the World War II as he never collaborated with the Nazi regime. The media at the time were celebrating Jiří Pichl. He was portrayed as friendly,..