Czechia’s media overhaul plan echoes ‘Orbán-style model of governance,’ says MEP

The Czech government’s plan to scrap public broadcasting license fees and replace them with state budget funding has sparked political backlash and concern in Brussels.

Center-right European People’s Party lawmaker Danuše Nerudová — who hails from Czechia’s opposition party Mayors and Independents — told POLITICO that the government is moving closer to “an Orbán-style model of governance, where media independence is not ensured.”

In an April 14 written question to the Commission obtained by POLITICO, Nerudová is asking the institution to assess the compatibility of the proposed reform with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

The architect of the EMFA, former Commission Vice President Věra Jourová, told Czech outlet Irozhlas.cz that the whole point of the EU legislation was to strengthen the independence of public service media.

“I know what we wanted because I drafted it … the Czech law, as it has been proposed, gives me the impression that it rather seeks to dismantle a functioning system and eliminate them,” Jourová said.

The draft law is a key promise of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s right-wing government and would end license fees from 2027 and reduce funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by about €57 million (1.4 billion Czech crowns).

The plan has sparked concerns from the opposition, journalists and media organizations over financial and editorial independence, an argument refuted by the government.

“Czech Television and Czech Radio remain independent legal entities, subordinate neither to the ministry nor to any state authority,” Czech Culture Minister Oto Klempíř said at a press conference Tuesday.

Babiš had frequently criticized media coverage by public broadcasters and independent media. Last month, local editors-in-chief called on him to respect free, independent and critical journalism.

European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said Thursday the institution is “aware of the announcements” but “won’t comment on the draft,” as it’s “still in early stages.” 

The Commission has three weeks to respond to the MEP’s written question.