Czech Government Fast-Tracks Bill to End Public Media License Fees
Prime Minister Andrej Babis is pushing legislation to replace public media license fees with state budget funding, sparking strikes and accusations of authoritarianism.
The Czech ruling coalition, led by Andrej Babis and the ANO party, fast-tracked legislation on October 23 to shift public media financing from a household license fee system to the state budget. The proposal eliminates the monthly 205-crown fee and would cut funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by approximately 15%, with nominal funding frozen for several years. To bypass opposition obstruction, the lower house held a rare overnight session that concluded at 4:36 a.m. on Saturday.
Babis and the government argue the move follows a European trend, increases efficiency, and reduces costs for consumers. However, opposition leader Zdenek Hrib and international groups have compared the reforms to pro-government media expansions in Hungary, characterizing the shift as a power grab to increase political control over the press.
The European Federation of Journalists warned that the bill violates the European Media Freedom Act by threatening the stability and independence of public service media. In response to the legislation, the journalist action group Verejnopravne has scheduled a strike for November 3, while civic groups have organized protests in Prague.
