Czech public broadcasters face funding overhaul, sparking protests and strike

The coalition government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has drafted a law to abolish the licence‑fee system that funds Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo). Starting in 2027 the two public service broadcasters would be financed from the state budget, cutting their annual budgets by roughly 15 % – about 1.4 billion CZK – and prompting estimates of 300‑500 job losses.

Opposition parties, media watchdogs and civil‑society groups warn that the shift would increase political control over the broadcasters and undermine editorial independence. Reporters Without Borders has described the proposal as a “financial blackmail” that threatens press freedom.

Thousands of Czechs marched in Prague on 21 June, demanding the withdrawal of the bill and the resignation of Culture Minister Ota Klempíř. The following day employees of ČT and ČRo began a 24‑hour warning strike: staff wore black, formed a human chain around the radio building, and introduced minute‑long delays and on‑screen notices on programmes, while children's channels continued unaffected.

The government says the reform saves money and reflects public opposition to paying the fee, whereas critics point to similar media‑control moves in Hungary and Slovakia. The law now heads to the Chamber of Deputies, then the Senate and the President for final approval.