Ten years ago, the Soviet government mounted the last furious defense of its crumbling empire. As Lithuanian citizens set up a vigil outside the television tower of Vilnius, the nation's capital, Soviet forces moved to break up the protests with tanks and troops. Fourteen people died on the night of Jan. 13, 1991, and almost 1,000 more were injured. But the Soviet effort failed. The Baltic states continued their drive for independence, the government in Moscow faltered and the Soviet Union dissolved.
The bravery of those unarmed Lithuanian citizens stunned the Soviet government and inspired democrats around the world. In some ways, it is fitting that that confrontation occurred where it did: under the TV tower. We too easily overlook the role of media. We see it as a source of entertainment, a purveyor of trends, tastes and tacky programs, rather than a guarantor of political and social rights.
The citizens of the Czech Republic are well aware of that basic role. In recent weeks, they have taken to the streets in the largest protests in that country since the "Velvet Revolution" that ended communist rule in 1989. They have been demanding the dismissal of Mr. Jiri Hodac, who late last year was appointed director of the Czech Television Council. Journalists claimed that Mr. Hodac had close ties to political leaders, primarily Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, and would politicize the news. They were joined by hundreds of thousands of ordinary Czechs; President Vaclav Havel rallied to their cause. Last week, Mr. Hodac resigned, citing health concerns. Last Friday, the Parliament voted to dismiss the entire Czech Television Council, claiming that the supervisory body had failed to do its job and protect the public interest.