Czech Republic advances media funding overhaul despite criticism
Summary
The Czech Republic’s government is moving forward with changes to how public media is funded by replacing a household broadcasting fee with money from the state budget. Critics, including public media workers and opposition parties, worry this change could reduce the independence of broadcasters and make them more vulnerable to government control.Key Facts
- The Czech government plans to end the 205 crown ($9.45) household broadcasting fee.
- Funding for public media will come directly from the state budget instead.
- The government is led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis and supported by the far-right SPD party.
- Babis promised to remove the broadcasting fee before taking office in December.
- Public media staff went on strike in June to protest the funding changes.
- Opposition parties compare the plan to media reforms in Hungary under Viktor Orban.
- The new funding plan would reduce public broadcasters’ budgets by about 15 percent.
- Public media remain trusted sources, with Czech Television being the most-watched broadcaster.
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