In the short time he has been with Lidové noviny, its business editor David Tramba has proved himself to be a reliable news source for the domestic energy sector.






Tramba's article in today's paper is no exception. It is an exceptionally reliable source for anyone wishing to know what ČEZ CEO Daniel Beneš wants us to think. Tramba quotes a source that the position of Beneš at ČEZ is extremely strong, and that he enjoys the full support of his majority shareholder. Tramba's source should know what he's talking about given that it's Beneš himself.

Beneš is then quoted as saying that our company is paid (by Czech Coal) to damage ČEZ. "I do not consider Mr. Candole an expert, but rather a hired lobbyist who throws muck at ČEZ for money."

Dear Reader! I have a confession to make! We have taken money off Czech Coal -and off ČEZ as well if I am to be perfectly honest with you.

In February 2010, we published a study called ČEZ unplugged. For a joke, we offered the study for sale at the bargain price of EUR 699.99 or something like that. Within hours, we received a phone call from the communications department of ČEZ, inquiring if they could send a messenger round that afternoon to pick up a copy of the study. We said we would be happy to pop a copy in the post but they insisted on collecting it at once. So, we were EUR 699.99 richer!

The next day, we received a phone call from Czech Coal, inquiring if they could buy a copy of the study (they were happy to receive it by post). So we were now EUR 1399.98 richer!

And the next day, we posted the full study on our website, for all to download free of charge.

This is the second time that Tramba has carried quotes in his articles that we are paid by Pavel Tykač. I have lost count of how many times representatives of ČEZ have accused us of being paid to attack the company. My written requests to both that they desist from perpetrating this lie have been dismissed out of hand.

If I were to write that I do not regard Tramba as a journalist, but rather as a hired lobbyist paid by Daniel Beneš or his PR agents to promote Daniel Beneš, he would probably sue me. So I will limit myself to one short remark: David Tramba is a disgrace to his profession and to his employer, the oldest newspaper in this country.