From Havel's “blbá nálada” to today: Petr Dudek reflects on Czech media, politics, and society

In Czechast, veteran journalist Petr Dudek looks back at the 1990s, a key period in shaping modern Czech society and politics. One of the editors that shapúe current affair programs in Czech Public Radio reflects on how the Czech media landscape and political communication have evolved since then. 

How today’s Czech society compares to the 1990s

More than thirty-five years after the fall of communism, the 1990s remain a key reference point for understanding Czech society and politics. In the latest episode of Czechast, journalist Petr Dudek — one of the chief editors of current affairs programs at Czech Radio — looks back at that formative decade and compares it to the present.

Václav Havel|Photo: Tomáš Adamec, Czech Radio

The conversation returns to 1997, when then-president Václav Havel famously spoke about “blbá nálada,” a phrase used to describe a growing sense of public unease and disillusionment. But according to Petr, today’s situation is not simply a repetition of that period.

“Not really. I think that we are at a different stage now and, sorry to say, probably worse… What Havel referred to was… the sobering mood… after the first big political crisis… But in contrast with today’s situation… things were much better than they are now.”

His assessment suggests that while the 1990s brought their own frustrations, they were also a time when expectations remained relatively high and democratic institutions were still consolidating. Today, he implies, the challenges facing Czech society are more complex — and perhaps more deeply rooted.

Searching for a more natural language

Alongside his long career in journalism, Petr Dudek has also turned to creative writing, particularly radio plays. In the interview, he explains what draws him to this form of expression — and how it differs from the constraints of news reporting.

Amelia Mola-Schmidt and Petr Dudek in the studio with Ondřej Mikula (Aid Kid)|Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

“The language of the news is rather poor or simple. People have to understand you and you have to be accurate. But people do not talk using the news language. People talk in their natural way. And I just missed the opportunity to write a sentence in the way you and I would speak together sitting in a bar.” This contrast between precision and authenticity highlights a broader tension within journalism itself — the need to inform clearly while still capturing the richness of real human experience.

Petr’s reflections offer not just a comparison between past and present, but also a reminder of how both media and society continue to evolve — often in ways that are not immediately obvious. You can listen to the full conversation in the latest episode of Czechast — our podcast in English about all things Czech — available on all major podcast platforms.