Czech public media staff strike, citing government threat to independence
Summary
Employees of Czech public media held a one-day strike to protest the government’s plan to change how Czech Television and Czech Radio are funded. They fear that moving to state budget funding will reduce money and give the government control over these independent media outlets.Key Facts
- Czech public media workers staged a warning strike focused at Czech Television’s Prague headquarters.
- The strike followed a large public protest against the government’s funding plans.
- The government wants to replace licence fees with direct funding from the state budget.
- Funding for Czech Television and Radio would be cut to 2008 levels, about 15% less next year.
- Media workers and critics worry this will allow political control over public broadcasters.
- Prime Minister Andrej Babis says the change is meant to be fairer and improve efficiency.
- Public media employees used banners reading “We are not state media” and protested wearing black.
- Similar government efforts have occurred in Hungary and Slovakia, sparking worries about media independence.
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