Czech TV and radio employees warn against threat to media independence

Around 1,800 of the nearly 4,500 employees of Czech Television and Czech Radio have signed a statement expressing concern over attempts to control public service media. They view the government’s plan to abolish television and radio license fees – and instead fund public media from the state budget – as a threat to the independence of these institutions.

The current government, formed by ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists’ Party, has included the abolition of public media fees in its policy program. It argues that funding public media from the state budget, starting in 2027, would save money for citizens. However, the opposition and parts of the professional community see this move as endangering media independence.

On Monday, the OS Media trade union sent an open letter to Culture Minister Oto Klempíř (Motorists’ Party), stating that it is ready to participate in negotiations on changes to public media financing.