Statement by the European Broadcasting Union on the Czech government's plans to reduce public service media funding significantly
A group of international media and journalists’ organizations, led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has warned that proposed changes to public service media funding in Czechia - including plans to significantly reduce licence fee contributions and potentially abolish the system altogether - risk undermining the financial sustainability and independence of Czech public broadcasters.
The organizations stress that any such reforms must be transparent, subject to broad consultation, and aligned with European standards, including the European Media Freedom Act, to ensure stable, adequate and predictable funding for public service media.
The EBU and the undersigned international media and journalists’ organisations are deeply worried by the direction of current discussions in Czechia regarding the future of public service media funding.
The ruling coalition has announced its intention to submit a parliamentary bill proposing a significant reduction in licence fee contributions - excluding roughly a quarter of all Czech households (seniors over 75, people with disabilities, dependent young people under 26) along with more than 17,000 businesses from payment.
Proposals to abolish the inflation clause also cause a concern as indexation ensures public service media can cope with the rising costs.
Czech Radio and Czech Television have warned that such changes would have severe economic consequences, undermining financial stability and potentially affecting their ability to fulfil their public service remit.
These measures have been presented as a transitional step toward the complete abolition of licence fees and their replacement with direct state budget funding, with full implementation envisaged from 2027.
In Czechia, recent increases to the licence fee were the first in almost 20 years, underlining the ongoing financial pressure on public service media. Any move to reduce, dismantle or replace this model of funding risks undermining the long-term sustainability and independence of these essential institutions.
Public service media are a cornerstone of democratic societies, providing trusted news, supporting pluralism and serving all audiences. To fulfil this role, they must be guaranteed stable, adequate and independent funding, in line with the European Media Freedom Act and long-standing European standards.
Funding reforms of this scale must be subject to broad and meaningful consultation with all stakeholders and include robust safeguards to protect editorial and institutional independence. The EBU stands ready to contribute to any such consultation.
At a time when trusted information is more important than ever, it is vital that Czech public service media are equipped with the resources and independence they need to continue serving society.
Signed by:
- European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
- European Federation of Journalists ( EFJ)
- Justice for Journalists Foundation (JJF)
- Association of European Journalists (AEJ)
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
- International Press Institute (IPI)
- International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
- European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
- Index on Censorship
- South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
- Rory Peck Trust
- Public Media Alliance (PMA)