Michal Šašek is a former political deputy minister of culture and, since 15 October 2026, director of the regional studios Czech Radio Plzeň and Czech Radio Karlovy Vary.[1][2]
Ministry of Culture
From 2022 to 2025 he served as deputy to Minister of Culture Martin Baxa, whose remit included audiovisual matters and public service media.[1][2] He took part in transforming the State Cinematography Fund (Státní fond kinematografie) into the State Audiovisual Fund (Státní fond audiovize) and in preparing and negotiating a large media amendment.[1][3] According to iDNES.cz, he was among the supporters of higher funding for public service media from licence fees.[5] According to the same source, the fee was to rise by 10 crowns a month for Czech Radio and by 25 crowns for Czech Television, and owners of devices able to receive broadcasts were also to pay it.[5]
Czech Radio
Czech Radio director general René Zavoral announced Šašek's appointment at a public meeting of the Czech Radio Council on 29 September 2026.[2][3] According to Deník N, he chose him without a selection procedure.[4] Šašek succeeded David Jakš, who took up a post in July as Czech Radio's foreign correspondent in Asia.[2][3]
Zavoral said that Šašek has a good knowledge of the media sector and knows the Plzeň Region.[3] Šašek named care for the working environment of both teams as his main priority and wanted both stations to be a visible part of life in the regions.[2] According to Jan Menger, who heads the regional section of the director general, he is to modernise broadcasting, increase the regional reach of the content and involve the studios in the projects Regionální stopař and Živé regiony.[1]
Earlier career
Šašek worked in the management of Techmania Science Center, at the Regional Authority of the Plzeň Region and as an adviser to the mayor of Plzeň.[1][3] He founded the Juniorfest International Film Festival for Children and Youth, where he was programme director and later executive director.[1][3] He teaches at the Film Academy of Miroslav Ondříček in Písek.[1][3]
Chronology
- — Michal Šašek is due to head the Czech Radio studios in Plzeň and Karlovy Vary from October 2026. Médiář MediaGuru