Official Response to Visegrad Insight Article by Václav Líkar

Official Response to Visegrad Insight Article ‘Czech Gaming Tycoons Expand Kremlin-Linked Media into Poland’

We are addressing an inaccurate claim in our article “Czech Gaming Tycoons Expand Kremlin-Linked Media into Poland,” published on 31 October 2024.

We incorrectly stated that the outlet Parlamentní Listy had expanded into Poland, a claim the publishers have just refuted.

Below, we publish a letter by Václav Líkar, Chairman of the Board, NASE MÉDIA a.s., publisher of the Parlamentní Listy:

Official Response to Visegrad Insight Article “Czech Gaming Tycoons Expand Kremlin-Linked Media into Poland”

We are compelled to respond to the article published by Visegrad Insight on October 31, 2024, which contains several serious factual errors and unsubstantiated claims about Parlamentní Listy.

Fundamental Factual Errors

1. False Expansion Claim: The article’s central premise that Parlamentní Listy is expanding into Poland is false. No such expansion exists or is planned. The authors failed to verify this basic claim or contact us for confirmation before publication.
2. Unsubstantiated Kremlin Links: The article provides no evidence for its assertion that our outlet is “Kremlin-linked.” This is a serious accusation that demands substantiation or apology.

Journalistic Standards Violations

1. No Right of Reply: At no point the authors contacted Parlamentní Listy for comment or verification of their claims, violating a basic principle of journalistic practice.
2. Lack of Evidence: The article makes numerous accusations about “disinformation” without providing a single specific example or piece of evidence.
3. Editorial Bias: The article conflates having different editorial positions on matters of public debate (COVID-19 policies, Ukraine conflict, Green Deal) with “disinformation.” This represents a fundamental misunderstanding of media plurality and democratic discourse.

Request for Correction

We request that Visegrad Insight:

1. Issues an immediate correction regarding the false claim about our expansion into Poland.
2. Removes unsubstantiated allegations about “Kremlin links” unless evidence can be provided.
3. Withdraws unsupported accusations of disinformation
4. Provides us with an opportunity to respond in detail to specific allegations.
5. Publishes this response in full.

We remain committed to providing our readers with diverse perspectives on important issues while maintaining high journalistic standards. Different viewpoints on complex political matters should not be misconstrued as disinformation.

12th November, 2024

Václav Líkar

Chairman of the Board

NASE MÉDIA a.s.