People take part in a protest rally in Prague to show their support for public media.Image: REUTERS
With a one-day warning strike, thousands of public media employees in the Czech Republic protested against the planned abolition of broadcasting fees.
June 22, 2026, 10:44June 22, 2026, 10:44
Numerous programs such as the news began on television on Monday with a one-minute delay. Many presenters ostentatiously wore black mourning clothing. On the online sites, in social media and in teletext, the offering was smaller than usual. Protest events were planned throughout the day. Otherwise, the effects were initially limited.
Planned end of broadcasting fees
The right-wing cabinet decided to abolish broadcasting fees a week ago. Parliament still has to agree to this. The public radio and television stations are to be financed directly from the state budget in the future. They should also receive significantly less money than before.
Critics see the move as an attack on the independence of public media. The right-wing Minister of Culture Oto Klempir, however, accused the striking employees of not being concerned about values, but only about money. A coalition of the right-wing populist ANO led by billionaire Andrej Babis and two small parties on the right-wing edge of the political spectrum governs the Czech Republic.
Protests and criticism
On Sunday, several thousand people gathered in front of the broadcasting center of the Czech television CT in Prague to protest against the government’s plans. They held up banners with texts like “Free media = free society” or “We don’t want a government program”.
Liberal President Petr Pavel also recently expressed criticism of the planned media reform because the current system works well. Currently, every household in the Czech Republic pays 55 Czech crowns (2.10 francs) per month for radio and 150 crowns (5.73 francs) for television. (sda/dpa)