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Czech coalition advances public media funding overhaul amid independence criticism

The bill would replace the household broadcasting fee with state budget funding, cutting public broadcaster revenue by about 15 percent.

Updated Oct 25, 2026 · 18:13 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • Czech governing coalition advanced the public media funding bill to committees in an overnight vote early Saturday.[Al Jazeera]
  • The bill would replace the 205 crown household broadcasting fee with state budget funding and cut Czech Television and Czech Radio funding by about 15 percent.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
  • Critics say the changes could weaken broadcaster independence, while Prime Minister Andrej Babiš says no media nationalisation is being prepared.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
  • Thousands rallied in Prague on Sunday, and public media staff have announced a strike for November 3.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]

Key facts

  • The Czech governing coalition advanced the public media funding bill to committees in an overnight vote early Saturday.[Al Jazeera]
  • The proposal would replace the 205 crown ($9.45) household broadcasting fee with funding from the state budget.[Al Jazeera]
  • The proposal would cut funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by about 15 percent.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
  • Critics say the funding changes could weaken broadcaster independence and give the coalition a means to take control of the media.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
  • Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Facebook that there is no war for independent media and that no nationalisation of media is being prepared.[Al Jazeera]
  • Thousands of protesters rallied in Prague on Sunday against the government plan.[Associated Press]
  • Broadcaster employees and journalists announced a strike for November 3.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]

What remains uncertain

  • The bill has only been sent to committees for further discussion, so whether it passes and in what final form remains unknown.[Al Jazeera]
  • Critics' concerns about broadcaster independence are disputed by Prime Minister Babiš's government, which says no media nationalisation is being prepared.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.