Ivan Medek (July 13, 1925 – January 6, 2010) was a Czech classical music critic, radio broadcaster and journalist. Medek was an important voice of the Czech anti-communist opposition movement, particularly after being forced into exile from Czechoslovakia in 1978.[1][2] Medek collaborated closely with such Czechoslovak politicians as Václav Havel and Pavel Tigrid in opposition to communist rule.[1][2]
Medek was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on July 13, 1925.[1] He began his career as both a classical music critic and journalist.[1] He worked as a musician for the Czech Philharmonic until he was fired by the government for his support of the opposition.[2]
Medek was an original signatory of the Charter 77 manifesto in 1977.[1] Persecution by the communist government for his participation in Charter 77 forced Medek into exile in neighboring Austria beginning in 1978.[1] Medek began working at the Voice of America in Austria, where he broadcast news and information into Czechoslovakia.[1] His VoA radio broadcasts became an important link for anti-communist dissidents in his native Czechoslovakia.[2]
Medek returned to Czechoslovakia from exile in 1989 during the Velvet Revolution.[2] In 1993, Medek was appointed to the office of the presidency under Vaclav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic.[2] He later became the head of the presidency, or chancellor, under Havel.[1][2]
Medek died in Prague on January 6, 2010, at the age of 84. He was survived by his wife, Helena.[1]