Self-reflection of the Czech sport journalists working between 1980 and 1999 in printed media and the influence of ideology on their role in society

The thesis titled Self-reflection Of Czech Sport Journalists Working Between 1980 And 1999 In Printed Media And The Influence Of Ideology On Their Role In Society focuses on a question of whether the work of writing sport journalists was influenced by the ruling ideology before 1989. The thesis is based on biographical interviews of five sport journalists, which were taken while using the help of oral history research method. The sport journalists bring their testimonies, memories, experiences and stories associated with the period of normalization, the Velvet Revolution and the post-revolutionary period. The biggest emphasis is placed on a degree of impact of the ruling ideology on the editorial process before 1989. Therefore the thesis touches themes of self-censorship, targeted campaigns, relationships of the journalists to the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia or to The National Security. The work brings views of still writing sport journalists, who evaluate their motivation to do the profession, their ongoing journalistic career and the role of sport journalists in society. This study is a contribution to oral-historical research on the period of normalization and to understanding the influence of ideology on the media activity before 1989. This thesis extends the knowledge of sports..