Finance
Czech Public Broadcaster Unions Issue Strike Warning Over Government's Funding Revamp
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 22, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 22, 2026
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Quick Summary
Unions at Czech Television and Czech Radio have issued a strike alert over government plans to phase out the licence fee and fully fund public broadcasters through the state budget—moves they say threaten editorial independence and could slash funding by a third.
Czech Public Broadcaster Unions Threaten Strike Over Funding Reforms
Overview of the Planned Funding Reforms and Union Response
Union Concerns and Strike Preparations
PRAGUE, April 22 (Reuters) - Unions at Czech Television and Czech Radio warned they were preparing to strike on Wednesday over what they see as a threat to their independence from planned government reforms of the state broadcasters' funding, including scrapping a licence fee.
The ruling coalition plans to begin phasing out the licence fee this year and bring the broadcasters' funding completely under the state budget from next year. Both steps would reduce funding for state media overall.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis and his populist ANO party pledged to end licence fees in last year's election. The user fees were increased last year for the first time in nearly two decades to a combined 205 crowns ($9.90) per month.
The unions declared a strike alert on Wednesday, a preparatory step towards going on strike.
Potential Impact on Public Broadcasting
Deputy Chairwoman of the Independent Unions at Czech Television, Zuzana Bancanska, told hundreds of staff outside the station that the changes would lead to mass layoffs.
"Both media will be unable to perform their public service, which can lead to their demise," she said, calling on the public to back the media's independence.
Government Position and Criticism
Government Response to Allegations
GOVERNMENT REJECTS MEDDLING ACCUSATIONS
The government, which did not immediately comment, rejects allegations it aims to meddle in coverage, arguing state funding is common in Europe.
Critics' Perspective on the Reforms
Critics have said the reforms mirrored steps towards political control in Slovakia and Hungary, the latter under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Babis' close European ally in their Patriots for Europe group.
Concerns Over Editorial Independence
Czech Television and Czech Radio chiefs said in a statement on Monday the proposed changes failed to set sufficient guarantees for independence, were poorly designed and opened room for legal uncertainty, external pressure and weakening of editorial autonomy.
Babis has been critical of both public and independent private media coverage of his political and business affairs.
Watchdog Reporters Without Borders said the plans were chaotic, "pulling the rug out" from under the broadcasters.
Additional Information
($1 = 20.7090 Czech crowns)
(Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Key Takeaways
- •Unions warn the government’s funding overhaul—scrapping the licence fee in favor of state budget support—risks mass layoffs, undermining public service journalism, and threatening the broadcasters’ independence.
- •Experts and media organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the European Broadcasting Union, caution that the reforms are hasty, lack transparency, and violate EU standards under the Media Freedom Act.
- •The proposed changes could cut Czech Radio’s revenue by around CZK 700–800 million annually (about one-third), and Czech Television could lose roughly CZK 2.1 billion, raising concerns over legal uncertainty and loss of sustainable funding.
References
- Czech public TV and radio license fees to be replaced by state funding plan - Prague, Czech Republic
- Czechia: RSF condemns plan for “legislative ambush” against public broadcasting | RSF
- Media groups back Czech public broadcasters amid funding fears - English Section
- Czech Radio to lose a third of its licence fee revenue | Czech Radio
Frequently Asked Questions about Czech public broadcaster unions issue strike warning over government's funding revamp
1Why are Czech public broadcaster unions threatening to strike?
The unions fear government reforms to broadcaster funding, including ending licence fees, threaten their independence and could lead to mass layoffs.
2What changes are being proposed to Czech broadcaster funding?
The government plans to phase out the licence fee and fund broadcasters fully through the state budget, reducing overall funding.
3How have officials and unions responded to the funding reforms?
Unions have declared a strike alert, and broadcaster chiefs argue the changes lack guarantees for independence and could increase political pressure.
4What comparisons have critics made regarding these funding reforms?
Critics claim the reforms resemble steps towards political control seen in Slovakia and Hungary.
5How does the Czech Prime Minister view the media and proposed changes?
Prime Minister Babis has criticized media coverage of his affairs and denies the reforms intend to interfere with editorial independence.
