Kalousek rejects claims that new media funding plan amounts to nationalisation
Former finance minister Miroslav Kalousek says the government's proposal to fund Czech Television and Radio from the state budget does not constitute a takeover of the public broadcasters.
The cabinet's plan to replace the licence fee with a mandatory state-budget allocation for Czech Television and Czech Radio has sparked criticism from opposition politicians. Former finance minister Miroslav Kalousek publicly refuted accusations that the change would turn the broadcasters into state entities, describing the claim as objectively false and a form of manipulation. He emphasized that the contribution will be a fixed, non-adjustable expense that can only be altered through a legislative amendment, similar to changes in the fee law.
Kalousek also challenged ČT news editor Michal Kubal's interpretation of the proposal, and rebuked Jan Grolich, the KDU-ČSL chairman and new senator, for suggesting it amounts to nationalisation. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed the mandatory budget line will include an inflation clause, removing the need for annual votes. President Petr Pavel added that the financing method does not automatically jeopardise editorial independence if adequate safeguards are included, citing examples from Nordic countries.
Why it matters
The debate shapes how Czech public media will be funded and whether their editorial independence remains protected.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCentrist coverage frames the funding change as a step toward government control of public broadcasters, while right-leaning coverage frames criticism of the plan as false and manipulative, defending the proposal.
CENTER
The plan is portrayed as a deliberate move by the government to seize control of public media and silence dissent.
RIGHT
Critics’ accusations are dismissed as objectively false and manipulative, with the proposal presented as a routine budgetary adjustment.
The right emphasises
- Kalousek calls claims of nationalisation "objectively false" and a form of manipulation
- the contribution will be a fixed, non-adjustable expense that can only be changed by legislative amendment
- critics such as the ČT news editor and KDU-ČSL chairman are rebuked for suggesting the plan amounts to nationalisation
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