PRAGUE — The Czech ruling coalition pushed public-media funding changes through a first parliamentary hurdle in a rare overnight vote early on Saturday, despite criticism that they could weaken broadcaster independence, Reuters reported on October 24.
Source: Reuters, Oct 24, 2026
The populist government of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, backed by the far-right SPD party, has frequently criticised public and private media coverage of its policies and accused some outlets of bias, Reuters said. Opposition parties have compared the proposed changes with reforms in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who oversaw a major expansion of pro-government media.
Source: Reuters, Oct 24, 2026
The government says it is scrapping the 205-crown ($9.45) monthly household broadcasting fee to ease costs for consumers — yaani, about nine and a half US dollars a month per household — and that funding would instead come from the state budget, Reuters reported.
Source: Reuters, Oct 24, 2026
The proposal was brought to the floor outside the planned order of proceedings on Friday. Speaker Tomio Okamura of the SPD limited debate and scheduled the vote for 4:36 a.m. on Saturday, and the coalition's majority then voted to send the bill to committees for further discussion, Reuters said.
Source: Reuters, Oct 24, 2026
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside parliament, with some remaining overnight, and local media reported that several people unsuccessfully tried to enter the building, Reuters said. A further protest was planned for Sunday.
Source: Reuters, Oct 24, 2026
Critics say the changes would weaken the broadcasters and make them more vulnerable to political pressure. Czech Television is the country's most-watched broadcaster across major age groups, while public media are among the most trusted news sources in the country, according to a 2025 Reuters Institute survey cited by Reuters. The proposal would cut funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by about 15%, possibly as early as next year, and keep nominal funding unchanged for several years.
Source: Reuters, Oct 24, 2026
"There is no war for independent media," Babis said on Facebook late on Friday, in a statement reported by Reuters. "There is no fight for democracy and no nationalisation of media is being prepared."