Senate approves proposed increase in public radio and television fees

The Czech Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that will increase public radio and television fees and extend the range of taxpayers to all households with internet access. The fees will increase by CZK 15 to CZK 150 per month for Czech Television and CZK 10 to CZK 55 per month for Czech Radio. The amendment will also ensure that both fees will be automatically increased in the future in line with the inflation rate. The Senate also supported a proposal that the financial management of the public broadcasters be subject to scrutiny by the Supreme Audit Office. The bill still needs to be signed by the president and is expected to come into force as of May.