**Czech Public Media Staff Strike Over Government Funding Control**
*Prague, Czech Republic – June 22, 2026* — Employees of Czech public media staged a one-day warning strike on Monday, protesting against government plans that would place funding for Czech Television (CT) and Czech Radio (CRo) under direct state control. The strike, which was anticipated in the weeks leading up to the event, coincided with a significant public demonstration held the previous day in Prague, where concerns about the independence of public media were prominently voiced.
The protest was centered at CT’s headquarters, where hundreds of staff members gathered to express their discontent. Supporters from civil society groups and the general public joined the strikers, highlighting widespread fears that the populist government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis is attempting to exert political influence over these media outlets.
The government's recent proposal involves a shift from the existing licence fee system to a direct financing model sourced from the state budget. This change would also result in a funding reduction to levels not seen since 2008. The previous administration had increased CT's funding for the first time in 17 years, raising concerns among media advocates about the implications of the new funding structure.
Prime Minister Babis has defended the proposed changes, arguing that the new model would be fairer for economically disadvantaged households and would incentivize public media to enhance their efficiency. However, critics argue that this shift could enable government interference in editorial decisions, drawing parallels to similar actions taken by authoritarian regimes in neighboring countries such as Hungary and Slovakia.
Media watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have condemned the government's plans, warning of potential negative impacts on the independence and quality of state broadcasters. During the strike, many programs on CT began with a delayed start, accompanied by a countdown clock and an explanation of the strike's purpose.
Protesters outside the television headquarters and around the CRo building in central Prague displayed banners reading “We are not state media” and “Independence is no expenditure,” emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding the autonomy of public broadcasting. Employees from both CT and CRo participated in the demonstration, with CRo staff forming a human chain around their building to symbolize their solidarity against the proposed funding cuts.
Prime Minister Babis had previously vowed to eliminate licence fees when he took office in December 2025, asserting that his three-party coalition is simply fulfilling a commitment made to voters. However, the proposed budget cuts would lead to a reduction of approximately 15 percent in funding for the broadcasters in the upcoming year. Directors of both public media outlets have expressed concern that such cuts could necessitate layoffs and program cancellations.
Despite Babis's assurances that the government intends to respect the independence of public media, he and other senior officials have frequently criticized the outlets for their perceived liberal bias. This ongoing tension between the government and public media is not a new phenomenon in the Czech Republic. A notable incident occurred in 2000 when journalists occupied CT studios to broadcast their own news in response to government attempts to seize control, leading to widespread protests that ultimately strengthened the independence of the media.
As the situation unfolds, the future of public media in the Czech Republic remains uncertain, with employees and advocates continuing to rally for the preservation of editorial independence and adequate funding. The strike reflects a deep-seated concern among journalists and the public about the potential erosion of democratic values and media freedom in the country.