Story perspectives

Czech PM Babis Ends Licence Fee, Sparks Media Control Protests

5/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced the licence fee will be phased out this year and public broadcasters will be funded from the state budget next year.
Protesters waved “Hands Off the Media” signs as critics said the shift mirrors media-control moves in Slovakia and Hungary, where Viktor Orban leads the latter.
The government says independence will be protected by parliament-appointed boards and inflation-adjusted budgets.
Reporters Without Borders called the plan chaotic.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced the licence fee will be phased out this year and public broadcasters will be funded from the state budget next year.
Protesters waved “Hands Off the Media” signs as critics said the shift mirrors media-control moves in Slovakia and Hungary, where Viktor Orban leads the latter.
The government says independence will be protected by parliament-appointed boards and inflation-adjusted budgets.
Reporters Without Borders called the plan chaotic.