Coalition pushes ahead with plan to abolish Czech TV and radio licence fees

The ruling coalition on Friday pushed through a motion in the Chamber of Deputies to give priority to the government’s bill abolishing television and radio licence fees. The motion was tabled by Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) parliamentary group leader Radim Fiala. At his request, the lower house also voted to allow Saturday sittings, in addition to overnight sessions in view of a longer debate.

The government wants to replace licence fees with funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio from the state budget.

Opposition parties describe the proposal as an attempt to bring both public-service broadcasters under state control and warn that it threatens their independence. They have vowed to obstruct it in every possible way.

Several dozen people gathered outside the Chamber of Deputies on Friday to publicly protest against the move.