Czech broadcasters threaten strike over state funding plan

Journalists at the Czech Republic’s public broadcasters have warned they could go on strike if the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš proceeds with plans to abolish licence fees and place media funding under direct state control, according to foreign media reports.

The proposal would replace the current system — where households pay fees directly to public service broadcasters — with financing from the state budget. Culture Minister Oto Klempíř confirmed last week that “licence fees are cancelled.”

Babiš’s Ano party had pledged to scrap the fees ahead of its victory in last October’s parliamentary election, but the plan has sparked strong opposition. On Wednesday, April 22, thousands of university students protested in Prague, marching from Jan Palach Square and chanting: “We won’t let you take the media.”

Journalists say the move risks undermining editorial independence. Pavla Kubálková of the Czech Television strike committee warned the bill would introduce “direct political influence” by dismantling a funding model that has operated for decades.

The proposed changes would also significantly reduce funding. Public service media would lose about $64 million in 2027, with Czech Television facing nearly a one-third budget cut compared with 2026, and Czech Radio about a fifth.

Jan Herget of the Czech Radio strike committee said state funding could become “a tool in the hands of politicians” to weaken editorial autonomy. He added that the plan would effectively roll funding back to 2005 levels, despite rising costs.

Opposition figures joined the protests, including Pirate Party leader Zdeněk Hřib, who described the situation as “serious” and criticised attempts to exert control through funding and governance structures.

Media analyst Jan Motal said the reform lacks clarity on how independence would be protected, calling it “a half-formed” proposal introduced amid concerns over political interference. He also noted that long-overdue reforms to public broadcasters have yet to be implemented.

By Tamilla Hasanova