Czech Public Media Staff Plan Strike Over Funding Cuts

Hundreds of employees at Czech Television and Czech Radio will stage a protest strike this Monday, challenging a government plan to replace mandatory licence fees with direct state budget funding. Organizers warn that the shift threatens the editorial independence of national broadcasters and risks significant job losses.

Editorial·June 17, 2026·reads: 1,936

Czech Public Media Staff Plan Strike Over Funding Cuts

The government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ ANO party, argues that the public no longer supports the current fee structure. However, the proposed transition to state funding includes a 15% reduction in total budget allocations, effectively resetting financing to 2008 levels. Czech Television leadership estimates this move could force the layoff of 300 to 500 staff members out of their current workforce of 2,900.

Journalist Jan Molacek, a key organizer of the strike, stated that the ruling coalition has systematically ignored calls for expert debate and protests from international media watchdogs. While officials maintain that the change does not compromise journalistic integrity, critics—including opposition politicians and Reporters Without Borders—contend the policy violates European Union standards for independent media and exposes broadcasters to direct political pressure.