Czech Media Investigation Reveals Lobbyist Control of Ministry and Deník N

Investigative series by the newly formed Paukner Media alleges that lobbyists from the Svaz moderní energetiky effectively ran Petr Hladík’s ministry, channeling 11 million CZK directly from the ministry and using external influencers without contracts. The reports claim that the lobbyists directed policy and labelled opponents of acceleration zones as “pro‑Russian disinformation”.

In a separate probe, journalist Michal Půr confronted Jan Simkanič, director of the daily Deník N, over the outlet’s financing and ownership. Simkanič denied the accusations, stating “Hospodaření Deníku N je ziskové” and that “Platby za obsah tvoří 83 percent příjmů Deníku N”. He said the founders transferred their shares to the Independent Press Foundation, removing any investor influence, and highlighted profits of over four million CZK in 2025. Půr countered that Deník N does not audit its readership or costs, making its claimed independence difficult to verify.