Czech Public Media Workers Go on Strike over a Government Plan to Overhaul Their Funding
Workers say the overhaul would cut funding by 15% and give the government tools to pressure public media, prompting limited broadcasts and street protests.
- On Tuesday, Czech Television and radio workers launched a one-day strike unprecedented in public service media history, protesting government plans to move funding into the state budget and cut financing by approximately 15%.
- The government's proposed legislation would cancel the 205-crown monthly household broadcasting fee and shift funding from individual fees to the state budget, a model critics warn opens the door to political pressure and editorial interference.
- Czech Television newsrooms appeared darkened with moderators reading from scripts during the strike. Journalist Jan Molacek stated, "This proposal, if passed, will give the government coalition tools to politically influence the content of both public media."
- Prime Minister Andrej Babis claimed the government is merely lightening financial burdens, but critics compare the funding shift to media takeovers in Slovakia and Hungary, viewing it as a threat to editorial independence.
- The bill passed a preliminary vote last month and now awaits further parliamentary debate as student groups and the Million Moments for Democracy group continue organizing public rallies to defend media independence.
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86 Articles
Czech public media launch strike, accusing government of political ...
Thousands join Czech protest against public media financing plan
The protesters fear the plan to switch from a licence fee paid by individuals to direct financing from the state budget will enable the government to stifle media freedom. The coalition government led by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, however, argues that the broadcasters need to cut costs and insists the plan will have no impact on editorial independence or programme content. Jakub Szanto, a reporter for the public Czech TV channel, t…
LancasterOnline
PRAGA (AP) — Czech public media workers held a one-day strike on Tuesday to protest against a government plan to reform the way public media is funded, legislation that...
The government of Andrej Babis wants to cancel the broadcasting charges and instead finance the public media from the budget. The opposition fears state propaganda as in neighboring countries.
In connection with the strike, broadcasting was restricted.
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