Czech Coalition Advances Public Media Funding Reforms Amid Widespread Criticism

Journalists prepare to strike as politicians push through changes that critics say threaten independence.

Published On 24 Oct 2026

The Czech Republic’s governing coalition has advanced proposed changes to the funding of public media, despite widespread criticism that the shift could compromise broadcaster independence.

In a rare overnight vote in the early hours of Saturday, the coalition moved the bill to committees for further discussion.

The proposed changes include scrapping the 205 crown ($9.45) household broadcasting fee and replacing it with direct funding from the state budget. Critics argue that replacing the ring-fenced fee with state budget allocations could make public broadcasters vulnerable to political pressure.

The populist government of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, backed by the far-right SPD party, has frequently criticized public and private media coverage of its policies and accused various outlets of bias.

Babis promised to scrap the broadcasting fee before taking office last December, framing the current push as a fulfillment of that campaign pledge to voters.

Public media employees staged a strike against the move in June, warning that the transition would leave key broadcasters vulnerable to government influence.

Opposition parties have drawn parallels between the proposed changes and media reforms under neighbouring Hungary’s former Prime Minister, Viktor Orban.

Babis, however, has argued that the new funding model would be fairer to poorer households and encourage media outlets to operate more efficiently.

“There is no war for independent media,” Babis said on Facebook late on Friday. “There is no fight for democracy and no nationalisation of media is being prepared.”

According to details of the proposal, funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio would be cut by approximately 15 percent, with nominal funding remaining unchanged for several years.

Public media remain among the most trusted news sources in the Czech Republic, with Czech Television serving as the most-watched broadcaster across several age demographics.

In response, a civic group has called for a public protest on Sunday, while journalists and other employees at the broadcasters announced a strike scheduled for November 3.

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