Czechia

[CZ] Administrative Court Decision on Videotext

IRIS 2008-2:1/33

Jan Fučík

Česká televize

Videotext is an information system in which text and simple graphics are transmitted by the broadcaster in parallel with the television programme itself. Alongside basic and supplementary information relating to TV programmes, videotext can be used to provide a wide range of information that can be constantly updated. There is the also the possibility of so-called "videotext chat", in which viewers themselves transmit information. Some user-generated information transmitted in this way has been criticised in the past because it contained vulgar and obscene language. These messages could be accessed between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm, even though TV programmes with similar content were prohibited during that period.

The Rada pro rozhlasové a televizní vysílání (Broadcasting Council) of the Czech Republic deemed these videotext chats to be programmes that were likely to damage the physical, spiritual or moral development of minors and therefore fined various broadcasters. However, an appeal by the broadcasters against the Broadcasting Council's decisions was upheld by the Prague City Court and the decisions were quashed. The court based its verdict on the fact that videotext was not a television programme within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act. Although videotext was a form of broadcasting, this did not mean that all the provisions of the Broadcasting Act applied without further examination. Only the provisions that were relevant to videotext were applicable.