Czech public media face a 15% budget cut next year after Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed his government will not withdraw a bill eliminating television and radio license fees, lsm.lv reported. The legislation, which shifts public broadcasting to direct state budget allocations, cleared its first reading in the parliament’s lower house and triggered widespread protests from citizens and media workers concerned over institutional independence.
Government Defends Funding Overhaul Amid Independence Concerns
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš rejected claims that the financing changes undermine democratic safeguards or editorial freedom. Speaking on the matter, Babiš maintained that the reform simply modernizes how public broadcasting receives its revenue while keeping editorial operations and personnel decisions entirely autonomous. Our aim is to provide stable and predictable financing that would allow public media to plan their operations and investments several years ahead,
Babiš said.
The transition replaces traditional household abonentmaksas with direct state allocations. Proponents argue this aligns with broader European trends away from license fees, while the governing coalition insists the public broadcasters must implement austerity measures. According to data cited by lsm.lv, the removal of the license fees will directly slash the combined budget of Czech Television and Czech Radio by 15% compared to this year.
Coalition leaders accuse broadcasters of bias
The legislative push stems from the governing coalition that took power last December, uniting Babiš’s populist ANO party with the right-wing populist Motorists for Themselves and the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy party. Coalition leaders openly accused public broadcasters of political bias during parliamentary debates. It is immoral and shameful to pay for something that works against my interests, against the interests of my country and my people,
stated SPD leader Tomio Okamura during the proceedings.
Opposition parties strongly opposed the move, vowing to challenge the changes in the constitutional court. Staff members at both public networks organized pushback, scheduling a strike for November 3, following initial demonstrations outside the parliament building ahead of the early Saturday morning vote.
Czech public media budget faces cuts
How much will the public media budget decrease under the new bill?
Czech public media report that abolishing the abonentmaksa will reduce their operating budget by 15% next year relative to current funding levels, according to lsm.lv.
Which political parties form the current Czech governing coalition pushing this legislation?
The ruling coalition comprises Andrej Babiš’s ANO party, the Motorists for Themselves party, and the Freedom and Direct Democracy party.
What planned actions have media employees taken in response to the vote?
Employees at Czech Television and Czech Radio scheduled a strike for November 3, following street demonstrations outside the parliament building.
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