Czech journalists end three-month strike

BBC News Online, Saturday 10 February 2001, 10:30 GMT

A three month strike by journalists at Czech state television over allegations of political bias is due to end in the next few hours 1100 GMT.

The announcement followed talks between strike leaders and the station's newly appointed managing director, Jiri Balvin.

Under the agreement, several dozen sacked journalists will return to work and key staff, appointed by Mr Balvin's controversial predecessor, Jiri Hodac, will lose their posts.

Mr Hodac—who had been accused of compromising editorial independence—was forced to resign last month after the biggest street protests in the Czech Republic since the overthrow of Communism in 1989.