Czech MPs Vote to Cut Public Media Budgets by 15 Percent

Lawmakers in the Czech Republic voted in the early hours of Saturday to refer a bill to committee that will reduce funding for national public broadcasters by approximately 15 percent. The measure, passed by the governing coalition, eliminates the existing 205 crown ($9.45) household broadcasting fee and redirects the revenue stream to the state budget.

Under the proposed framework, nominal funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio will remain unchanged for several years following the initial cut. Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who leads a three-party coalition backed by the far-right SPD, stated the change fulfills a pledge made before he took office in December 2025. Babis argued the new model is fairer to lower-income households and will force media organizations to operate with greater efficiency.

In a Facebook post published late Friday, Babis rejected claims that the overhaul threatens press freedom. "There is no war for independent media," he wrote. "There is no fight for democracy and no nationalisation of media is being prepared." The government has frequently criticized both public and private outlets for biased coverage of its policies.

Opposition parties have compared the reform to media changes implemented under former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Employees at the public broadcasters have expressed alarm, arguing that tying their finances to the state budget increases vulnerability to government pressure. Staff members previously staged a strike in June to protest the potential shift in funding control.

Public media holds a prominent position in the country, ranking among the most trusted news sources. Czech Television is the most-watched broadcaster across several age groups, making the financial changes a focal point for civic debate. The coalition’s decision to push the bill forward despite these concerns has intensified scrutiny on the relationship between the Babis government and the press.

Further action is scheduled in the coming days. A civic group has organized a public demonstration for Sunday, while journalists and other broadcaster employees have announced a new strike for November 3. The bill must now pass through committee discussions before final adoption.