Czech Lawmakers Slash Broadcasters' Budgets While Eliminating TV Fee
Lawmakers voted overnight to shift public media financing to the state budget, cutting broadcaster budgets by 15 percent.
By Priya Sharma ·
Czech legislators voted in the early hours of Saturday to advance a bill that ends the household broadcasting fee. The measure shifts the financial responsibility for public media from individual residents to the national government.
The proposal eliminates the current levy of 205 Czech crowns, equivalent to $9.45, which families pay for access to national broadcasts. Under the new model, the state budget will provide the necessary funds. This change is part of a wider restructuring that reduces overall funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by approximately 15 percent. The bill stipulates that nominal funding levels will remain fixed for several years following the transition.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis, a billionaire and populist leader, pledged to abolish the fee before taking office last December. His three-party coalition, which includes the far-right SPD party, argues that the new system is fairer to lower-income households. Babis stated in a Facebook post on Friday that the changes force media outlets to operate with greater efficiency. He rejected claims that the shift threatens press freedom, writing, "There is no war for independent media," and adding that no nationalization is being prepared.
Critics argue the move gives the government too much control over national broadcasters. Opposition parties have compared the proposal to reforms implemented by Hungary’s former prime minister, Viktor Orban. Employees at Czech Television and Czech Radio have expressed alarm over the potential for political pressure. They previously staged a strike in June to protest the link between their funding and the state budget.
Public broadcasters hold a strong position in Czech society. They are among the most trusted news sources in the country. Czech Television remains the most-watched channel across multiple age groups. This widespread reliance on public media makes the funding shift a central issue in the current political debate.
The coalition moved the bill to committees for further discussion despite the opposition. The government says it is fulfilling a promise to voters. Protests against the change are already underway. A civic group has organized a public demonstration for Sunday. Journalists and other employees at the public broadcasters have announced a new strike for November 3.
Source: Al Jazeera
