The International Press Institute and Czech National Committee of the International Press Institute (CZ IPI), reject today the draft law on public service media, which aims to abolish license fees for Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo).
Our organisations fear that this irreversible step will increase the risk of political interference in public service media—particularly regarding independent news coverage and the work of journalists—regardless of which political representation is currently in power. At the same time, the IPI notes a lack of credible justification from the government coalition for the need to change a functioning funding system and disagrees with the absence of professional consultations with all stakeholders, including international experts.
Furthermore, questions arise as to whether the approval of this media law amendment could lead to a breach of obligations arising from the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).
The EMFA requires all EU member states, including the Czech Republic, to guarantee the independent functioning of public service media and ensure that funding procedures “are based on transparent and objective criteria determined in advance” and that these media outlets have “adequate, sustainable, and predictable financial resources consistent with the fulfillment of their public service mission and the ability to develop within it.”
Regarding the introduction of the amendment, IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen stated: “If passed, this bill would weaken the economic framework for independent public service broadcasting in the Czech Republic and significantly hinder the ability of the broadcasters to carry out their important public service mission. By replacing the licence fee model with a system of direct state funding, this bill would also remove an important buffer protecting Czech TV and Radio’s independence.”
“We are concerned that this funding change reflects hostility toward Czech TV and Radio by the current governing coalition under Prime Minister Babis, who in previous administrations sought to weaken the institutional safeguards protecting their independence,” Griffen added.
Free media and safeguards against political interference in the work of independent journalists are essential for the functioning of democracy. Public service media are among the key sources of information for citizens, and examples from abroad show that controlling their financial income can jeopardize both their independence and their level of quality.
“Statements made so far by government officials provide no convincing justification for interfering with a functioning funding system for public service media,” says Robert Čásenský, Chairman of the Board of the Czech branch of the IPI. “It is necessary to acknowledge that if the fees are abolished, the change will most likely be permanent and irreversible. Linking the budgets of both institutions to state funding increases the risk of political influence over their content by any government, current or future,” Čásenský added.
“Czech TV and Radio are widely respected within Central Europe as models of quality public-service broadcasting. We call on the Czech government to drop these plans and instead ensure that adequate funding and institutional independence – essential criteria for true public-service broadcasting – remain in place.”” stated IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen.
- On 10–11 March, IPI conducted an advocacy mission to Prague together with CZ IPI, during which we met with media stakeholders, policymakers and government representatives to assess the media environment in the country. Read the mission findings here.
- Read the statement in the Czech language here