Czech Republic advances media funding overhaul despite criticism

SaveSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkA woman walks past placards hanging on a building of Czech Radio as employees of public broadcasters strike in protest at the government's planned overhaul of public media funding, in Prague, June 22 [David W Cerny/Reuters]By ReutersPublished On 24 Oct 202624 Oct 2026The Czech Republic’s governing coalition has advanced changes to the funding of public media, despite criticism that it could weaken broadcaster independence.In a rare overnight vote in the early hours of Saturday, the coalition voted to send the bill to committees for further discussion.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2‘Orban constantly vetoes’: Europe braces for Hungary electionlist 2 of 2Czech public media staff strike, citing government threat to independenceend of listThe changes include scrapping the 205 crown ($9.45) household broadcasting fee, and replacing it with funding from the state budget.The populist government of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, backed by the far-right SPD party, has frequently criticised public and private media coverage of its policies and accused some outlets of bias.Babis promised to scrap the broadcasting fee before taking office last December, and says his three-party government is now fulfilling that pledge to voters.Public media employees staged a strike against the move in June, saying it would make broadcasters vulnerable to government pressure.Opposition parties have compared the changes with reforms under neighbouring Hungary’s former Prime Minister, Viktor Orban.Babis has said the new funding model would be fairer to poorer households and encourage outlets to become more efficient.“There is no war for independent media,” Babis said on Facebook late on Friday. “There is no fight for democracy and no nationalisation of media is being prepared.”The proposal would cut funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by about 15 percent and keep nominal funding unchanged for several years.Public media are among the most trusted news sources in the Czech Republic, with Czech Television the most-watched broadcaster across several age groups.A civic group has called a public protest for Sunday, while journalists and other employees at the broadcasters announced a strike for November 3.