Opposition leaders call PM Babiš to talks on public-service media funding

The leaders of five opposition parties have called on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to hold joint talks on the future of Czech Television and Czech Radio, involving their directors and independent experts.

Civic Democratic party leader Martin Kupka said in the Chamber of Deputies that Babiš should propose a date if he was serious about his stated willingness to negotiate.

Babiš dismissed the reasons for the strike,saying that the proposed changes would not restrict media independence in any way. He said the ruling coalition would push ahead with the plan to abolish license fees, but added that he was open to debate on the new funding model in the Chamber of Deputies.