Journalists in Czechia are rallying against government plans threatening the independence of public media institutions Czech Television and Czech Radio.
In Czechia, a significant concern has emerged among employees of public service media institutions, Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo), regarding government attempts to exert control over them. Nearly 2,000 staff from these institutions have collectively voiced their fears in a public statement, noting that current government plans to abolish media license fees and fund the organizations from the state budget could lead to increased political interference and loss of independence.
The proposed abolition of the monthly fees, which amount to 205 Czech crowns per household, signals a troubling shift as it would place both ČT and ČRo under direct government financial oversight. This change is viewed as an alarming trend by journalists and media professionals who believe it undermines the essential principles of public service broadcasting. The response from media employees marks a rare but strong unified stand against perceived threats to their independence.
The ramifications of such a government overhaul could be profound, potentially diminishing the journalistic integrity and freedom that public media institutions have long upheld in Czech society. As the Cabinet under Andrej Babiš pushes this initiative, the worries of political domination that could follow are prompting increased calls for advocacy and protection of public service media rights from both journalists and the public.
