Government bill to abolish license fees for public broadcasters approved in first reading

The Czech ruling coalition pushed a controversial bill to abolish license fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio through its first reading in the lower house in the early hours of Saturday, after unexpectedly forcing a vote on the proposal on Friday.

The vote took place following a heated overnight debate during which the opposition fought to block the proposal.

Several hundred people demonstrated against the proposed changes overnight outside the Parliament building. At one point, angry protesters attempted to force their way in, but police prevented them from doing so and guarded the building throughout the night.

The opposition has pledged to continue fighting the bill during the subsequent stages of the legislative process.

Culture Minister Oto Klempíř told MPs during the debate that the proposed funding model was a standard solution in Europe. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš rejected claims that the change un funding was  an attack on democracy or a nationalisation of the public broadcasters.

Under the government-proposed bill, now to be debated in the lower house, Czech Television and Czech Radio would receive around 15 percent less funding from the state budget than the amounts available to them following last year’s increase in license fees.

Employees of Czech Television and Czech Radio have called a one-day strike for Tuesday, November 3, in protest against the government’s plans to abolish license fees.