Prague-based video blogger Janek Rubeš is facing legal proceedings over a critical video about a restaurant near Prague Castle. The owner has accused him of damaging her reputation and is seeking six-figure compensation.
For years, the Prague duo Honest Guide – Janek Rubeš and Honza Mikulka – have been known for exposing overpriced services and questionable business practices in the Czech capital’s city centre. Through their YouTube channel Kluci z Prahy and its English counterpart Prague Honest Guide, they regularly shine a light on so-called “tourist traps.” Now, Rubeš himself is being taken to court. A restaurant owner near Prague Castle claims she has been harmed by one of their videos and has filed a lawsuit.
The controversy centres on a video report in which Rubeš and Mikulka describe their experience at the establishment. They were alerted to it by viewer tips and negative online reviews. In the video, they criticise the absence of a menu and mention that they had previously been turned away from the premises. They label the place a “tourist trap.”
Beer from a plastic bottle instead of freshly tapped?
One particularly contentious scene shows beer being poured from a plastic bottle into traditional tankards – despite the restaurant having its own tap system and advertising a well-known beer brand. No indication is given as to the origin of the beer. The key question: were customers misled into thinking they were being served fresh draught beer?
Rubeš is careful in his wording: “In my opinion, it’s unusual, maybe questionable – but not illegal.” Nonetheless, he stands by his assessment: the prices are high, the quality disappointing – making the venue, in his view, a textbook tourist trap.
Lawsuit for Defamation
The restaurant owner disagrees. After first demanding the video be taken down, she proceeded to file a lawsuit. Her claim: the video implies that her establishment is “deceptive and cheats tourists.” She is demanding that the video be removed, a public apology, and compensation amounting to several hundred thousand Czech crowns.
Rubeš, however, appears unfazed: he stands by everything he said. “I still think it’s a tourist trap. How that can be debated in court is beyond me,” he commented. He leaves the pricing – roughly 330 crowns for a litre of beer – for viewers to judge for themselves.
Transparency as a Principle
Rubeš has addressed the legal case in a follow-up video. He insists the aim was never to single out individuals, but rather to highlight problematic practices in tourist-heavy areas. He plans to document the court proceedings openly. “I have great respect for the court – everyone should have the right to defend themselves,” says Rubeš. At the same time, he stresses the importance of encouraging people to speak openly about poor experiences – without fear of repercussions.
