Czech public media independence under threat

The EPP Group has expressed deep concern over the Czech government's proposed reform of public service media financing, warning that replacing licence fees with direct state budget funding could undermine the independence of Czech Television and Czech Radio and expose their editorial decisions to political interference.

Speaking ahead of a European Parliament debate on Wednesday, Lena Düpont MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokeswoman for Home Affairs, stated: "Independent media are a cornerstone of democracy, not a political tool, and their independence must never be put at risk by government decisions. The unprecedented strike action by public broadcaster employees and widespread public protests in Prague and other Czech cities highlight the seriousness of these concerns."

The EPP Group stands firmly for independent public service media, calls on the Czech government to reconsider its approach and urges the European Commission to closely monitor developments. 

"Any reform must fully respect the European Media Freedom Act and guarantee adequate and predictable funding to safeguard editorial independence and media pluralism. Reforming public service media financing must strengthen their independence, not make them more vulnerable to political influence," added Düpont.