Mr Jiri Hodac, the embattled new director of public Czech Television, has resigned citing health reasons.
His resignation came amid mounting pressure from journalists over allegations of his political bias.
Their campaign to have him removed gained widespread public sympathy.
“On the basis of conversations today with my doctor...I unfortunately had to accept the conclusion that at this moment I cannot perform the job in the position to which I was legally elected,” he said in a statement read by one of his deputies.
Mr Hodac was in hospital for several days last week, reportedly suffering from exhaustion.
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He was chosen last month by the Czech Television Council, which is dominated by nominees of the two main parties, the ruling Social Democrats and their opposition allies, the centre-right Civic Democrats (ODS).
The station's staff refused to accept the appointment, saying Mr Hodac would interfere with their editorial independence and favour the two parties, mainly the ODS of ex-premier Mr Vaclav Klaus.
The party denied having any links with Mr Hodac.
A vast majority of the public, and President Vaclav Havel supported the journalists, with thousands expected to take to the streets in a demonstration planned for later today.
Both houses of parliament also called on the director to quit.
Reuters