Czech Government Shifts Public Media Funding to State Budget Amid Protests

The coalition cabinet approved legislation that would replace the licence-fee system for Czech Television (CT) and Czech Radio (CRo) with direct state-budget financing from next year. The change cuts the combined budget by about 15 %, equivalent to £14.3 million for CRo and £35.8 million for CT, and could force 300-500 layoffs at CT and hundreds at CRo, returning funding to 2008 levels. The bill contains no guarantee of future allocations, prompting broadcasters to warn of possible staff reductions.

The Guardian

On 21 June, thousands gathered outside CT headquarters in Prague, carrying “Hands off public media” banners and citing the Million Moments for Democracy initiative. The march preceded a 24-hour strike by CT and CRo employees on 22 June, the largest industrial action in public service media since 2001.

Thousands of people took to the streets in Prague to protest the reform of public media funding

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the reform ends unpopular licence fees and saves taxpayers’ money. Culture Minister Oto Klempír argued that moving financing to the state budget does not alter the broadcasters’ legal status. Pirate Party leader Zdenek Hrib warned the plan would roll back media freedom by at least three decades. The European Commission and the Venice Commission have been asked to assess compliance with the European Media Freedom Act.

The Guardian

Observers liken the reform to media-control policies in Hungary under Viktor Orbán and Slovakia under Robert Fico. The International Press Institute warned the bill could financially weaken the broadcasters, erode safeguards for independence and breach the European Media Freedom Act. MP Josef Nerušil (SPD) suggested the funding change could later be used to influence broadcast content.

The Guardian

The government claims the financing shift “changes nothing” for editorial independence, while broadcasters argue that direct state funding raises political pressure. The bill does not detail future budget guarantees, leaving the long-term outlook uncertain.

Bloomberg

• “They belong to us all and we won’t allow them to be stolen from us.” — Mikuláš Minár, organizer, Million Moments for Democracy

Associated Press

• “The reforms have been prepared without consultation and without guarantees for the independence of public service media,” — Pavla Kubálková, member, Czech Television strike committee

The Guardian

• “Moving funding into the state budget changes nothing about the independence of Czech Television or Czech Radio,” — Oto Klempír, culture minister

The Guardian

• “We want you to save money, and you’re not,” — Andrej Babiš, prime minister

The Guardian

The bill awaits a parliamentary vote. The European Commission will review its compliance with EU media-freedom rules, and the Venice Commission will examine legal safeguards. Unions warn of further action, and more protests are planned.

The Guardian