Czech ruling coalition to propose scrapping broadcast fees for selected groups

The Czech ruling coalition plans to submit a bill to the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday that would abolish television and radio licence fees for seniors, companies, dependent young people under 26, and individuals with physical disabilities.

According to Tomio Okamura (SPD), the move would effectively return fee revenues to their 2024 level. He made the announcement following a meeting of the coalition council on Monday.

The proposal will also include the removal of a provision allowing regular fee increases in line with inflation. Okamura described the measure as an interim step toward the complete abolition of licence fees, which the government has pledged to implement in its policy program.

Opposition parties have criticized the move saying it will threaten the independence of the country’s public broadcasters.