Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Czech coalition fast-tracks plan to change public media funding
In Prague, the Czech ruling coalition fast-tracked a public media funding bill by bringing it to a first parliamentary reading on Friday.
The plan would cut funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by about 15%, possibly starting next year.
It would also end the monthly household licence fee of 205 crowns and move broadcaster funding into the state budget.
The government says the change follows a European trend and would not affect editorial coverage, while critics warn it could leave the broadcasters more open to political influence.
The dispute matters because Czech Television is the country’s most-watched broadcaster across the main age groups, and media groups say the plan lacks safeguards against interference.
Parliament extended debate into Saturday; the bill must pass three readings, and the government has not said when a final vote will take place.
The Czech ruling coalition moved to fast-track a plan to shift public media funding into the state budget and cut it by about 15%.
The proposal would end household licence fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio, which currently cost 205 crowns ($9.44) a month.
Critics say the plan could weaken the broadcasters and make their funding more vulnerable to political influence.
The government says the change follows a European trend and would not affect editorial coverage.
The lower house extended debate on the proposal’s first reading into Saturday.
- Who
- The Czech ruling coalition, led by Andrej Babis, is advancing the plan. Critics include opposition politicians, journalists and media organisations.
- What
- The proposal would move public media funding into the state budget, cut it by about 15% and end household licence fees.
- When
- The first parliamentary reading began on Friday, October 23, 2026. Debate was extended into Saturday.
- Where
- The Czech Republic, in parliament.
- Why
- The government says the change follows a European trend and that savings are needed. Critics say it could weaken the broadcasters and increase political influence over their funding.
Czech government
Critics of the plan
Funding rationale
Czech government
The government says the change follows a European trend away from fee-funded public broadcasting and that savings are needed.
Critics of the plan
Critics say the plan would weaken public broadcasters and make funding more dependent on politicians.
Editorial impact
Czech government
The government argues the changes would not affect editorial coverage.
Critics of the plan
Critics say the proposal lacks safeguards against political interference and threatens press independence.
The proposal was brought to its first parliamentary reading.
The lower house voted to extend the debate into Saturday.
- Proposed funding source
- State budget
- Proposed funding cut
- About 15%
- Current household licence fee
- 205 crowns ($9.44) a month
- Broadcasters affected
- Czech Television and Czech Radio
- Parliamentary stage
- First of three required readings
3 sources
What people are saying
We are seeing here that Andrej Babis and his entourage... have embarked on the trajectory of installing an authoritarian regime
The government is led to this change by a European trend under which ever more European countries depart from the fee-funded principle