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]

He was a brother of the Czech painter Mikuláš Medek and the son of the general Rudolf Medek. ^[3]

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 Václav 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]