Czech government moves to scrap public broadcasting fees

Leaders of the governing coalition have agreed to abolish licence fees for public Czech Television and Czech Radio and to adjust the timetable for changing their financing. Lower house Speaker and Freedom and Direct Democracy leader Tomio Okamura announced the decision after a meeting of coalition leaders on Monday.

Okamura said the abolition of fees is part of the government’s policy programme, and work is under way on legislation to introduce a new funding model. According to earlier reports, the coalition plans to replace licence fees with state budget funding from 2027. During a transitional period, it is considering exemptions for certain groups, such as pensioners.

The opposition opposes scrapping the fees, warning that the move could undermine the independence of public service media.