Czech Media Workers Petition to Safeguard Independence
Recently, approximately 1,800 workers from the Czech Television (CT) and Czech Radio (CRo) have voiced their concerns regarding significant government changes to media funding. These employees, nearly 40% of the combined workforce of 4,500, signed a letter opposing the planned abolition of television and radio license fees.
Czech Government’s Funding Proposal
The coalition government, consisting of the ANO party, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists, seeks to implement changes that replace license fees with funding from the state budget. Prime Minister Andrej Babis asserted that the government’s intention is not to control public media services, which he stated would begin in 2027. Supporters of this policy claim it will provide financial relief for citizens.
Concerns Over Media Independence
Opposition parties and various professional groups believe these changes threaten the media’s independence. The signatory statement emphasizes that public service media must remain accountable to the public rather than politicians. The statement reads:
- “Political attacks on public institutions only deepen our concerns.”
- “The current funding model guarantees the independence and stability of CT and CRo.”
- “Sufficient public and expert debate is necessary before making fundamental changes.”
Critics argue that the proposed changes lack convincing justification. The signatories stress their commitment to sustaining the foundational principles of public service media, viewing it as a cornerstone of democracy.
Responses from the Government and Media Officials
Prime Minister Babis denied any intentions of controlling media under the new funding structure. He highlighted that 17 EU member states already finance public media through state budgets. Babis also mentioned the potential for these media organizations to undergo audits by the Supreme Audit Office to ensure transparency.
Key Figures Supporting the Petition
Notable figures among the signatories include:
- Petr Mrzena, News Director at CT
- Michal Kubal, News Editor-in-Chief
- Jakub Zelezny and Daniel Stach, Presenters
- Lea Surovcova and Pavla Kubalkova, Editors
- Jakub Szanto, Deputy Head of Foreign News
- Jana Klimova and Jan Kaliba, Editors at Czech Radio
- Tereza Kostkova, Presenter
Additionally, the OS Media trade union addressed Culture Minister Oto Klempir, indicating its readiness to engage in negotiations regarding public media funding. The union emphasized that sustainable and predictable financial support is crucial for abiding by EU media freedom laws.
