Czech government moves to end licence fees for public TV and radio

The Czech cabinet is set to repeal the licence fees that currently fund Česká televize (ČT) and Český rozhlas (ČR). Officials argue the change will save money for households, but critics warn that financing the broadcasters through the state budget will jeopardise their editorial independence.

Analysts note that the reform would cut ČT’s budget by about 1.75 billion crowns and ČR’s by roughly 400 million crowns, levels that could trigger staff layoffs, the closure of regional news bureaus and a sharp reduction in sports and original programming. Trade‑union leader Jan Křemen and media activists stress that the fee provides a transparent guarantee of public service funding, which would be lost under the new model.

Protest actions have already taken place at the broadcasters’ headquarters, with journalists demanding that the proposed funding shift not undermine the public‑service mission. The debate also references experiences in other European states, highlighting that the Czech system lacks the institutional safeguards present in the Nordic models.