Czech public broadcasters' staff protest funding reforms

Hundreds of employees of Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) gathered in black clothing on 3 June 2026 to denounce the governing coalition’s plan to shift public‑service media financing from licence fees to the state budget. The protest, organised by the employee initiative Veřejnoprávně with trade‑union support, took place simultaneously in Prague, Brno and Ostrava and featured a symbolic march five minutes before noon.

Participants warned that the proposed law could jeopardise the independence of the broadcasters, potentially leading to insolvency – the staff estimate losses of about CZK 1.4 billion per year for ČT and up to CZK 0.5 billion for ČRo. They have already declared a strike‑readiness state and said a further escalation, including a strike, would follow if the changes threaten editorial freedom. A separate parliamentary amendment that would exempt certain groups, such as seniors over 75, from paying the media fees would further reduce the broadcasters’ revenue.

The government has agreed to present an alternative proposal that would replace the fee‑based law with a budget‑transfer model, but the media organisations continue to reject any move that would make them dependent on political will.