Lower house debating hike in public radio and TV license fees

MPs met on Tuesday for further debate on a government proposal to increase public television and radio licence fees and expand the range of taxpayers. Deputies are tabling amendments in the bill’s second reading. The bill would increase the license fee for Czech Television by fifteen crowns to one hundred and fifty crowns per month and for Czech Radio by ten crowns to 55 crowns per month. There is also a provision according to which households should pay for receiving broadcasts by all possible means including via the internet, smartphones, tablets or computers, which would significantly increase the number of payers.