From licence fees to state budget: Media expert Jan Jirák on planned changes in public media funding

In Czechia, there is increasing debate about a proposed law from the Ministry of Culture that would abolish licence fees and change the funding of Czech public service media. As a result, they would be financed from the state budget instead. However, voices not only from the opposition and the leadership of Czech Radio and Czech Television themselves are raising concerns, viewing such a change as a threat to the stability and independence of Czech media.