Karel Horký and Ferdinand Peroutka: Fronta (The Front) against Přítomnost (The Present)
| Pages | 35-38 |
|---|---|
| Citation | FILÍPEK, Štěpán. Karel Horký and Ferdinand Peroutka: Fronta (The Front) against Přítomnost (The Present). Acta Musei Nationalis Pragae – Historia litterarum. Prague: National Museum, 2008, 53(1-4), 35-38. ISSN 0036-5351. Also available from: https://publikace.nm.cz/en/periodicals/acta-musei-nationalis-pragae-historia-litterarum/53-1-4/karel-horky-and-ferdinand-peroutka-fronta-the-front-against-pritomnost-the-present |
This analysis of rivalry between two weeklies Přítomnost and Fronta, both of them representing respectable counterbalance, brings forward an enriching view of pre–Munich journalism. Both of them criticised political parties asserting egoistic interests. Fronta wanted to defeat them by active nationalism while Přítomnost made use of realism methods. In many respects, however, Fronta was much more enrooted in the present than Přítomnost whose title (The Present) was meant to be symptomatic. Fronta was more realistic in evaluating the insecurity of Czechoslovakia and potential threats to the country. The weekly had no illusions about the possibilities of cooperation with the German minority. It was also well aware of the fact that the idea of Czechs and Slovaks being one nation was inconsistent. However, the weekly´s opinions were presented in an angry way, the form of the message oveshadowed the content. Events leading to the Munich agreement and subsequent occupation in 1939 shattered the beliefs of journalists from both weeklies in their influence. Journalism which previously aspired to create politics was suddenly helpless and gave in to political circumstances.
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