Czech coalition moves to scrap licence fees for some groups, sparking backlash
The Czech government MPs are moving to change how public service media are funded. Their new proposal would exempt some groups from paying licence fees and could lead to their eventual abolition. Critics warn the shift could weaken both funding stability and editorial independence.
The debate over how to fund public service media in Czechia is entering a new phase—one that could reshape the system built over decades.
The governing coalition is preparing to submit a bill that would exempt selected groups from paying television and radio licence fees. These include people over 75, students under 26, people with disabilities and some companies. The move would effectively bring total fee revenue back to its 2024 level.
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura says the proposal is in line with earlier promises.
“We will also abolish the inflation coefficient, which the previous government introduced, when the fees were supposed to increase. It is in line with our programme statement and above all with what we promised before the elections.”
At the same time, the government is working on a broader overhaul that could ultimately eliminate licence fees altogether and replace them with direct state funding, possibly from 2027.
Opposition warns of risks to independence
The plan has triggered strong criticism from opposition politicians, who say it lacks a clear long-term concept and could undermine the independence of public service media. Former culture minister Martin Baxa from the Civic Democrats criticised the proposal as unsystematic:
“It has no order, it has no system. I am curious, when we will be able to read it, what exactly we will find there. But it is an unsystematic measure that is only the first stop on the way to the state takeover of both media.”
Critics also object to the legislative process itself, noting that the proposal is being introduced as a parliamentary initiative, bypassing standard consultation procedures. TOP 09 chairman Matěj Ondřej Havel sees a broader pattern:
“It's a s salami method, so that the public gets used to it, then stops paying attention, and the finale is supposed to be the takeover of public service media by the state… and of course control over the content.”
Broadcasters call for open debate
Public broadcasters have also voiced concern, warning of significant financial impacts. Czech Television and Czech Radio say they cannot yet quantify the effects, as the final version of the proposal is not known. However, both institutions stress that licence fees form the backbone of their funding. Czech Radio spokesperson Lidia Edlbachová points out the speed and lack of consultation:
“We are convinced that the question of financing public service media deserves a standard, open and expert debate.”
Currently, licence fees account for most of the funding of both institutions. Czech Television operates with a budget of around 8.5 billion crowns, while Czech Radio relies on fees for roughly 90 percent of its income.
Regional context adds to concerns
The Czech debate is also shaped by developments elsewhere in Central Europe.
In Hungary, public broadcasting has long been criticised as closely aligned with the government. In Slovakia, recent changes to the public broadcaster have raised concerns about political influence. And in Poland, public media were heavily politicised under the previous government, with reforms now under way.
Against this backdrop, critics in Czechia warn that moving away from licence fees towards state funding could increase the risk of political pressure on public service media in the future.
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