Czech public broadcasters stage one-day strike
03.11.2026,
Czech public-service radio and television broadcast employees staged a strike on Tuesday against the planned abolition of broadcasting fees.
Much of the current programming was cancelled and shows were replaced with repeats. Newsreaders wore black suits and read out a strike statement.
The one-day strike was organized by an employee initiative and unions, who said they fear for the independence of public-service broadcasting from political interference.
"We are determined to defend both institutions and to preserve their basic principle, namely that they are there for all of you - not for the politicians," a statement said.
The right-wing populist government led by billionaire Andrej Babiš wants to finance the broadcasters directly from the state budget in future, rather than through fees. A corresponding bill has passed the first reading in the lower house of parliament.
Funding cuts of more than 15% are planned.
Babiš, 72, returned to power in December, when his ANO party formed a coalition with two smaller parties on the right: the Motorists party and the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) movement.
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