Final Word from Friday, October 14, 2005
ČSSD and ODS can't agree on many things these days, but their views on the media aren't far apart. Each says the press is biased, but of course each argues that the other is the beneficiary. Jiří Paroubek started it all by claiming in a Schröder moment that 80% of the media are against ČSSD. ODS denies getting special treatment and complains that it's often being ignored. There are even grumblings that ČSSD has bribed the media. Paroubek is indeed everywhere, but it's mainly because his advisers are churning out articles for him and because he has successfully adopted the Zeman/Klaus strategy of using insults, intimidation and substance to draw attention. What Paroubek doesn't have is the Zeman or Klaus intellect. He gets upset when his frequent contradictions make the news. ODS could be right when it says that Paroubek's overexposure will be his undoing.[Czech Republic Miloš Zeman Václav Klaus Gerhard Schroeder freedom]