Babis coalition votes to shift public media funding to state budget
The 205-crown household fee is being replaced by state budget allocations, a move that cuts broadcaster budgets by 15 percent.
By Joseph Jenkins ·
Czech public media have relied on a direct household fee for decades. That model ends under a new plan approved by the governing coalition late Friday night.
Lawmakers held a session that continued into the early hours of Saturday. They voted to send the bill to committees for further review. The central change eliminates the 205-crown, or $9.45, household broadcasting fee. Future funding will come from the state budget instead. The measure also reduces total funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by approximately 15 percent. Nominal funding levels will remain unchanged for several years after the transition.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis, a billionaire populist, pledged to abolish the fee before taking office last December. His three-party government, which includes the far-right SPD, argues the change keeps a promise to voters. Babis described the new model as fairer to poorer households. He also said it would force outlets to operate with more efficiency.
On Friday night, Babis posted on Facebook to address concerns about editorial independence. He wrote, 'There is no war for independent media.' He added, 'There is no fight for democracy and no nationalisation of media is being prepared.'
Opposition parties and broadcaster staff disagree with the government's assessment. Some opposition members compared the changes to media reforms implemented by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Employees of the public broadcasters raised alarms in June when they staged a strike. They argued that tying funding to the state budget exposes the outlets to greater government pressure.
Public media hold a strong position in Czech society. They are among the most trusted news sources in the country. Czech Television is the most-watched broadcaster across several age groups.
Protests are scheduled to continue. A civic group has organized a public demonstration for Sunday. Journalists and other employees at the broadcasters have announced a strike for November 3.
Source: Al Jazeera
