Czech government advances public media funding overhaul

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 18:27 · Archive

The Czech coalition government has voted to advance changes to public broadcaster funding despite protests and strike threats.

The Czech coalition government voted in the early hours of Saturday to advance a bill that would overhaul funding for public broadcasters. The vote was conducted after midnight, with limited time for opposition debate, prompting chants of '4:36' from protesters referring to the voting time. Thousands rallied in Prague on Sunday, with crowds filling Old Town Square and nearby streets. Organisers from the Million Moments for Democracy group called for the draft to be withdrawn and demanded thorough public debate.

The proposal would scrap the 205 crown household broadcasting fee and replace it with funding from the state budget. Public media would receive about 15 percent less money under the new model. Prime Minister Babis, a billionaire whose government includes the far-right SPD party, promised to scrap the fee before taking office. He says the changes would be fairer to poorer households and make outlets more efficient, and denies there is 'war for independent media' or plans to nationalise media.

Public media employees staged a strike in June opposing the changes, and announced another strike for 3 November. Critics compare the overhaul to media reforms in Hungary under Viktor Orban and Slovakia under Robert Fico, saying it could give the government control over broadcasters. Babis's government has frequently criticised public and private media coverage of its policies.

How it is being reported

• Thousands protest in Prague as government advances public media funding overhaulCzechs have rallied in Prague to protest a government plan to overhaul funding for public broadcastersThe Independent · 25 Oct, 17:55
• Czech Republic advances media funding overhaul despite criticismJournalists prepare to strike as politicians push through changes that critics say threaten independence.Al Jazeera · 24 Oct, 12:50

In this story: Andrej Babis · Czech Republic · Prague · Hungary · Viktor Orban · Czech Television · Czech Radio

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