Marek Kafka: Studying for my LLM gave me stronger argumentative confidence

Marek Kafka is a journalist and TV presenter at CNN Prima NEWS who meets politicians and prominent public figures on a daily basis. He recently completed the LLM Corporate Law program at the European School of Business & Management and shared in an interview why he decided to continue his studies, what benefits it brought him, and what he would recommend to others considering a law-focused program.

What led you to enroll in the LLM Corporate Law specialization, and why did you choose ESBM?

As a journalist, I have the privilege of conducting interviews with many prominent figures, from experts in economics or security to athletes and politicians. The topics often reflect current events, and it is sometimes necessary to navigate the field of law to ensure the interview is sufficiently informed and valuable for viewers and readers. The Corporate Law program at ESBM allowed me to enter a world that had been almost unknown to me and significantly improved my ability to navigate it.

You mentioned that you wanted to gain greater argumentative confidence when interviewing politicians. In what specific ways did the program help you, either during interview preparation or while conducting the debates themselves?

Exactly. It can happen that an interviewee refers to laws or tries to present their wording in a way that makes them appear to be in the right. I understand that we journalists are not judges, of course, but it is important to lead the discussion critically and objectively. Ultimately, our goal is to provide viewers and readers with a comprehensive perspective on the given issue.

Was there anything during your studies that surprised you, either in terms of the course content or the lecturers’ approach?

The lecturers’ approach was excellent. Many of them began their lectures by asking what we do for a living and then slightly adjusted the content so the information would be even more applicable in our professional lives. As for the field of law itself, I was surprised by how extensive it truly is. It immediately convinced me that there is still a lot of hard work ahead of me if I want to continue developing my knowledge.

How did you manage to balance demanding journalism work with your studies? Do you have any advice for future students who might hesitate, unsure whether they can handle it alongside their workload?

It is, of course, challenging that I admit. But because I had strong personal motivation to keep improving in what I do, the hours spent in the National Library of the Czech Republic were eased by that conviction. If someone is willing to step a little outside their comfort zone, the reward will be an education that is truly worth it.

Which educational module or lecturer stood out the most to you, and why?

I wouldn’t want to offend anyone by leaving them out. Some lecturers focused more on practical examples from their own experience, while others emphasized information. I liked them all. As for the seminar papers we had to complete during the program, I particularly enjoyed those that were relevant to my work or useful in everyday life. For example, I worked on the topic “Termination of Employment – concept, reasons, formal requirements,” which is information we all probably should know, since the labor market affects practically everyone.

What does the LL.M. degree personally mean to you, and how do you plan to use the knowledge you gained, professionally or for personal development?

I am glad that I have, hopefully, learned how to correctly, quickly, and effectively search for legal information, including court judgments. As mentioned earlier, having basic legal awareness can be useful for everyone in everyday life, whether handling routine tasks, signing contracts, or dealing with various insurance matters.

I am particularly proud of the degree itself. For some, it may be just three letters, but I see it as a sign of determination and a willingness to continuously work on myself. Knowing that I successfully completed the program genuinely brings me satisfaction.