Approximately 4000 supporters gathered in front of the Czech state-owned TV building in Prague, Czech Republic on January 4, 2001 to watch the evening news on big screen TV's. The journalists have been protesting by occupying the newsroom while continuing their duties since Dec 23, 2000 to protest the appointment of new director general Jiri Hodac. Hodac prevents their news from being aired – satellite, Internet and big screens outside the TV building are the only means of watching real news coverage for ordinary people.

Czech TV news anchors Iveta Touslova (left) and Jiri Janecek wave to their supporters outside of the occupied newsroom January 4, 2001 in Prague, Czech Republic. The journalists have been protesting by occupying the newsroom while continuing their duties since new director general Jiri Hodac was appointed in December 2000. Hodac prevents their news from being aired – satellite, Internet and big screens outside the TV building are the only means of seeing real news coverage for ordinary people - about 4000 of them gather there nightly.

A row of Czech state owned TV newsroom employees and reporters stand on guard behind the two announcers during the main evening news January 4, 2001 in Prague, Czech Republic. The journalists have been occupying their newsroom since Dec 23, 1999 to protest the appointment of new director general Jiri Hodac. At first, celebrities were used for protecting the news announcers, now the tradition continues with "nativity" - as it became known for its first use at Xmas - assembled from employees for every newscast.

An estimated 90,000 people showed up for a second large demonstration in support of the rebelling Czech TV journalists at Prague's Wenceslals square on January 11, 2001, despite the TV crisis being in its third week. New director general Hodac resigned that day, but journalists continued occupation of the newsroom until the crisis was resolved on February 10.

An estimated 90,000 people showed up for a second large demonstration in support of the rebelling Czech TV journalists at Prague's Wenceslals square on January 11, 2001, despite the TV crisis being in its third week. New director general Hodac resigned that day, but journalists continued occupation of the newsroom until the crisis was resolved on February 10.

Two protesters wearing cardboard TV's with Czech TV logo and "Stop Bobo TV" , "Bobo Go Home" signs on their heads (referring to Hodac's newsdirector Jana Bobosikova who was preparing manipulated news coverage when “rebel” news were cut off) during a demonstration in support of the rebelling TV journalists on Prague's Wenceslas square on January 11, 2001. An estimated 90,000 people showed up despite the crisis being in its third week. New director general Hodac resigned that day.

Prague, January 10, 2001. Czech state owned TV news anchors Marcela Augustova (right) and Marek Wolner present the first main evening news actually aired since 24th of December,2000, when the new TV director General Jiri Hodac cut off the terrestrial broadcasting - only viewers with a satellite could receive news then. When Hodac, who has political ties and is incompetent, was appointed, most of newsroom staff went on strike - they occupied the newsroom and continued to prepare the news programs. Following recommendations from the Czech Radio and Television Board, Hodac's newsdirector Bobosikova unexpectedly decided on January 9 that her team will not prepare parallel news anymore and returned the air to the rebelling journalists. Neither Bobosikova, nor Hodac have resigned yet and journalists are continuing their occupation strike.

Prague, January 10, 2001. Supporters of rebelling Czech TV journalists watch the evening news on big screen TV’s outside the ocupied newsroom. Today, the main evening news were actually aired for the first time since 24th of December,2000, when the new TV director General Jiri Hodac cut off the terrestrial broadcasting - only viewers with a satellite could receive news then. Approximately 4000 people gather outside the newsroom building nightlt to express their support.

Prague, January 10, 2001. A screensaver on a Czech TV newsroom computer displays a message which the new director general Hodac's team used to put on the air whenever news programs were to be aired and the rebelling journalists' newsroom was cut off. Today was the first day since Dec. 24, 2000 when similar sign was not the only thing visible on most TV's.

The sign reads: "Czech TV program continues by the following message: Czech TV director general Jiri Hodac urgently asks the state authorities of Czech Republic to help to resume legal broadcasting of Czech TV and end illegal activities currently underway. Broadcasting of those who refuse to recognize the authority of the new management of Czech TV is illegal. For that reason we are not broadcasting it now. We will return to normal program after the illegal broadcasting ends." At one point, a similar sign was aired on both Czech TV channels for two days – costing millions in advertising revenues and allegedly endangering a life of a missing teenage girl when Hodac refused to air a Police alert about her.