Former head of Czech TV's Reporters loses court case against subordinate
A regional court in central Bohemia upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Marek Wollner, former editor-in-chief of Czech Television's Reporters programme. His subordinate Markéta Dobiášová accused him of sexual harassment and bullying.
Former head of Czech TV's Reporters loses court case against subordinate
An appeals court in Prague upheld the ruling of a lower court in a dispute between Marek Wollner, former editor-in-chief of the Reporters programme on Czech Television, and his former subordinate Markéta Dobiášová. The lawsuit filed by the journalist to protect his name was dismissed by the judges.
Wollner sought an apology and removal of an article from Dobiášová's website. He also demanded compensation of one hundred thousand crowns. Dobiášová had previously stated publicly that he had behaved inappropriately towards her. According to her account, he called her a "bucket of shit", touched her inappropriately and made sounds resembling meowing while doing so.
First-instance judges in Kolín ruled last September that the reporter's claims were partially true. According to them, Wollner's conduct crossed the boundaries of decency. This assessment was confirmed by the regional court. "The defendant proved the truthful basis of statements about meowing, touching of the buttocks, and a crude insult, without any need for further supplementary evidence," the court's reasoning stated.
Testimony from several colleagues supported the account of Wollner's inappropriate behaviour towards subordinates. The journalist himself denies that these were sexual innuendos. He acknowledged only stressful situations and angry outbursts during work on a demanding programme.
Wollner left Czech Television in January 2023 following an agreement with management. Previously, an internal investigative commission had found nothing unlawful in his conduct. Police later also closed the case. The journalist is now considering filing a petition with the Supreme Court.
Dobiášová described the dispute as part of a wider problem within the public broadcaster. According to her, superiors had been unwilling to address her complaints.
Source: Aktualne.cz
Source: Aktuálně.cz