Czech Radio regards the referral of the proposal to abolish licence fees as an extremely serious and irresponsible move
The referral of the draft bill to abolish radio and television licence fees to a second reading has paved the way for a fundamental weakening of public service media. Czech Radio regards this as an extremely serious and irresponsible move that threatens their independence, financial stability and ability to fulfil their statutory remit.
Replacing the current, functioning system with funding from the state budget, without sufficient guarantees of stability and predictability of revenue, exacerbates these risks. Furthermore, the proposal envisages a reduction in funding for Czech Radio of approximately 400 million crowns per year, which would have a direct impact on the scope and quality of the public service.
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It is not only Czech Radio that shares these concerns about the proposed changes. Czech and international journalistic and media organisations, including the European Broadcasting Union, Reporters Without Borders, the European Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute and the Czech Syndicate of Journalists, have also repeatedly highlighted these risks. Czech Radio regards their support and public statements as an important signal that legislators should not overlook. It also greatly appreciates the support of civil society and all those who publicly advocate for the preservation of independent public service media.
Thanks are also due to the staff of Czech Radio, who have voiced their concerns about the future of the organisation and the conditions under which they work. The management of Czech Radio fully understands and shares these concerns, and also appreciates their commitment and determination to defend the values on which public service is founded.
Czech Radio will continue to draw strong attention to the risks posed by the proposed changes and their potential impact on the independence and functioning of public service media.
“I consider it essential that further discussions on the proposal are based on a thorough assessment of its impacts, respect European rules on the protection of the independence of public service media, and, above all, do not jeopardise the stability of funding for a service that is an important part of the Czech Republic’s democratic infrastructure,” said René Zavoral, Director General of Czech Radio.