Czech coalition eliminates TV licence fee, shifts public broadcaster funding to state budget
The Czech ruling coalition voted overnight to replace the 205-crown household broadcasting fee with direct state financing, despite criticism from media groups and the Catholic Church.
A night-time vote saw the Czech coalition, headed by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis and backed by the far-right SPD, push a proposal to end the 205-crown (US$9.45) monthly broadcasting fee. The amendment would redirect financing for public television and radio from households to the state treasury. Broadcasters, international journalism organisations, universities and the Catholic Church have voiced concerns that the shift may weaken editorial independence, likening it to media centralisation under former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The government argues the reform will ease the financial burden on citizens. The measure cleared its first parliamentary hurdle, but further debate is expected in the lower house.
Why it matters
Changing how public media are funded could affect press freedom and the flow of information in the Czech Republic.
In this story
