Deník Referendum in English

Welcome to the English section of Deník Referendum. Here you will find a selection of the best journalism produced by our newsroom. Most of these articles were originally published by our international partners as English versions of the most consequential and internationally relevant investigations, analyses and reporting by the journalists of Deník Referendum. We add new content from time to time, but above all, this section serves as a showcase of our work. You can learn more about us by downloading a detailed presentation of who we are. Of course, you can read our daily content in Czech.

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PM Babiš ordered to apologize to Deník Referendum for calling it “a cesspool”

The District Court in Prague has granted Deník Referendum's request to hear its lawsuit against PM Andrej Babiš for calling the newspaper a “lying journalistic cesspool.” The Czech Republic is required to apologize and pay damages.

The Disinformation Machine Behind Czech and Slovak Anti-Wind Farm Campaigns

Leading politicians from Andrej Babiš’s government are attacking wind turbines, and the movement against them is gaining ground throughout the Czech Republic. Surprising help is coming from bizarre Slovak yogi.

262 Czech journalists call on Czech Authorities to help their colleagues in Gaza

The open letter is a translation of a call published by 15 international press freedom groups in early August. The number of signatures is unprecedented in Czech journalism. Almost all major Czech newsrooms are represented.

Investigating Czech oligarch Daniel Křetínský and his EPH corporation

Křetínský's EPH corporation hides over half its carbon emissions. Here's how

DR investigation reveals how EPH, the largest Czech corporation, distorts its climate impact through creative emissions accounting — and debunks its claim of being a European decarbonization leader.

Sanctioned Putin Ally Arranged Czech Billionaire’s Moscow Meeting

In 2016, billionaire Daniel Křetínský, the owner of EPH, met Gazprom executives in Moscow at a meeting arranged by the office of Aleksandr Babakov, a leading Putin regime politician already on the EU sanctions list.

Gas and Russian dolls: the fruitful dealings of Daniel Křetínský

Daniel Křetínský's expansion into new industries was funded by energy profits — and mounting debt. Both depended on Russian gas transit fees. We traced how he secured them and where the money flows.

How the war in Ukraine is affecting the business of Daniel Křetínský

Czech fossil fuel magnate Daniel Křetínský has a vested interest in the European Union remaining dependent on Russian gas. Revenue from its transit is the engine driving the growth of his empire.

The Poisoning of Bečva River

On the day of the Bečva poisoning, Babiš’s Deza plant covered up an accident

DEZA, Mr. Babiš’s chemical plant, claims that no accident had been reported on the day of the poisoning of river Bečva. Our evidence proves otherwise. Moreover, number of leads suggest that cyanide was not the main cause of the poisoning.

Anatomy of an Ecocide: The Mysterious Poisoning of Bečva River

This story summarizing the most far-reaching investigation ever carried out by Deník Referendum was produced as a part of a Balkan Investigative Research Network Fellowship.

Reporting on European civil society

No turning back for Serbia’s protestors: ‘The beginning of the end for Vučić’

The largest anti-government protest in Serbian history took place in Belgrade in March 2025. President Vučić has called a snap election, but there is no way to ensure its fairness. Protesters demand a caretaker government.

Polish activists opened a pop-up abortion clinic. Opponents threw acid at it

Poland's allegedly liberal government has failed to pass abortion rights reform. Feminists opened a pop-up abortion clinic outside Parliament. They face harassment, and police are not providing adequate protection.