Czech public media workers go on strike over government plans to overhaul funding

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CZECH public media workers staged a one-day strike today against a government plan to overhaul how public broadcasters are funded, legislation many say would threaten their independence.

The plan, led by billionaire-turned-Prime Minister Andrej Babis, has already prompted street protests in Prague last month.

It would finance Czech public radio and television from the state budget rather than the existing system of fees from individuals, households and businesses.

The broadcasters would receive about 15 per cent less than now, which critics say could lead to layoffs, limited production and programme cancellations.

Czech Television chief news editor Michal Kubal said the strike was unprecedented in the history of Czech public service media.

Only limited programming was broadcast, including archived items and shorter news bulletins.

Czech public radio played only music, interrupted by a brief statement and a minute’s silence.

On screen, viewers saw an announcement saying: “We are doing everything we can to ensure that we can continue to provide a public service in its full scope and quality in the future.”

University students marched through Prague and other cities in support.

The strike was backed by trade unions, university deans, churches and international media organisations, and hundreds of leading Czech athletes called on the government to withdraw the proposed legislation.

The European Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and other groups said in a joint statement that “such a funding model opens the door to political pressure and threatens editorial independence.”

Critics say the overhaul would give the ruling three-party coalition the means to take control of the media, similar to Slovakia under Robert Fico and Hungary before Viktor Orban was ousted in April.

Mr Babis, who has attacked mainstream media, formed a coalition last year with two small groups known for extremist views.

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