The International Press Institute (IPI) joins the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and undersigned media and journalists’ organisations in raising alarm over the decision to fast-track legislation in the Czech Republic that would abolish the licence fee and fund Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) directly from the state budget.
On October 23, 2026, the Chamber of Deputies gave the bill priority in its first reading and agreed to sit late into the night and on Saturday. This raises questions about whether there is enough time for proper parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation on a reform that will shape the future of public service media in Czechia.
The bill would also cut the broadcasters’ combined funding by about CZK 1.4 billion a year, roughly 15%, to about CZK 7.8 billion. Cuts on this scale threaten their ability to fulfil their public service remit, maintain high-quality journalism and invest in new services.
Under Article 5(3) of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), EU countries must fund public service media through transparent and objective criteria set in advance. The funding must be adequate, sustainable and predictable, and must protect editorial independence.
Funding models are a national decision. But any reform must respect these binding European rules. A change this significant deserves thorough assessment, open parliamentary debate and genuine consultation with ČT, ČRo, and other stakeholders.
IPI and the undersigned organisations call on Czech lawmakers to allow enough time for proper scrutiny and inclusive consultation, and to revise the provisions that threaten the financial sustainability and independence of Czech public service media.
We stand with Czech Television and Czech Radio, and are ready to share our expertise with the Czech authorities.
Signed:
European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
International Press Institute (IPI)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Index on Censorship
Public Media Alliance (PMA)
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
Suspilne (Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine)
Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT)
Latvian Public Service Media (LSM)
RTV Slovenija (RTVSLO)
Bulgarian National Television (BNT)
Czech Republic: Plan to replace public media licence fee with state budget threatens independence
This statement was signed by IPI as part of its work under the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries
