A group of international media and journalists’ organizations, led by the European Broadcasting Union, has warned that proposed changes to public service media funding in Czechia risk undermining the long-term stability and independence of the country’s public broadcasters.
In a joint statement, the organizations said they were “deeply worried by the direction of current discussions” in Czechia about the future financing of public service media.
The warning follows plans by the Czech ruling coalition to introduce legislation that would significantly reduce license-fee contributions, including exemptions for seniors over 75, people with disabilities, young dependents under 26 and more than 17,000 businesses. According to the EBU, the exemptions would reduce the revenue base for Czech public service media and would come alongside proposals to remove the inflation-indexation of license fees. The organization said the measures have been presented as a transitional step toward replacing the license fee with direct funding from the state budget, a shift that could raise concerns about long-term financial stability and independence.
Public broadcasters Czech Radio and Czech Television have warned that such changes could have “severe economic consequences,” potentially affecting their ability to fulfill their public service obligations.
In the statement, the EBU emphasized the broader democratic role of public service media, saying they are “a cornerstone of democratic societies,” providing trusted news, supporting media pluralism and serving diverse audiences. The organization added that to perform this role effectively, public service media must have “stable, adequate and independent funding,” aligned with European standards and the European Media Freedom Act.
The EBU said funding reforms of this scale should involve broad consultation with stakeholders and include safeguards to protect editorial and institutional independence. “The EBU stands ready to contribute to any such consultation,” the organization said.
The statement concluded that, at a time when trusted information is increasingly important, Czech public service media must have the resources and independence required to continue serving society.
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