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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 leave public broadcasters more vulnerable to political pressure.
- 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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Chronicle OnlineReposted by 
The Seattle Times
The Seattle TimesCzech public media workers go on strike over a plan to overhaul their funding
Czech public media workers have gone on a one-day strike to protest a government plan to change how public broadcasters are funded. The plan, led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, would finance public radio and television from the state budget…
·Crystal River, United States
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Czech public media launch strike, accusing government of political ...
·London, United Kingdom
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LancasterOnline+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
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...
·Lancaster, United States
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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.
·Zürich, Switzerland
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Total News Sources99
Leaning Left19Leaning Right8Center20Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 40%
C 43%
R 17%
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