Chamber of Deputies to discuss increase in fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio again

The Czech Chamber of Deputies is expected to make its third attempt on Friday to begin the final approval of the controversial amendment to increase the television and radio fees. Deputies have not yet reached the final round of discussing the controversial bill due to the delaying procedures of the opposition ANO party and especially the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD), which have taken up two days of deliberations so far.

According to the government, the changes in the radio and television fee would contribute to the stabilisation of public television and radio, and ensure their long-term sustainability. ANO and SPD, however, oppose the higher costs and criticise the new methods of collecting the fee. According to them, Czech Television and Czech Radio should be financed from the state budget and possibly even merged. The bill increases the fee for Czech Television by 15 crowns to 150 crowns per month, and for Czech Radio by 10 crowns to 55 crowns per month. The fees would be applied to devices capable of receiving broadcasts via the Internet, not just television and radio receivers.

Author: Danny Bate