Czech Government Moves to State‑Funded Public Media, Cuts Licence Fees

The coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš approved a media reform that will abolish the television and radio licence fees for Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo). Starting in 2027 the two public broadcasters will be financed from the state budget, with the allocated sums reduced by about 15 percent – roughly 1.4 billion CZK compared with current collections.

The budget cuts mean the broadcasters expect to shed between 450 and 700 jobs and to scale back programmes, regional studios and sports coverage. ČT director Hynek Chudárek and ČRo director René Zavoral warned that the reductions could force major cuts to production and threaten the independence of the public service.

Opposition parties, trade unions and media professionals have organised protests and a warning strike slated for 22 June. Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř defended the change as a socially‑fair move, while critics argue it undermines the constitutional safeguard that financing through licence fees provides. The law also includes an inflation‑adjustment clause that would increase funding if cumulative inflation exceeds 10 percent.