Pavel warns scrapping TV and radio fees could threaten media independence

President Petr Pavel said at the Forum Media 2025 conference that abolishing licence fees for Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) — a plan included in the programme of the incoming ANO,SPD and Motorists coalition — could reduce the independence of public media. He said the risk is especially high given the lack of clarity about what the new funding model would look like.

Pavel also criticised the current trend of politicians addressing citizens not through independent media but through their own channels, targeting specific audiences without any opposing views. This, he said, distorts the public’s understanding of reality.