Czech public media workers walked off the job on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, in a one-day strike against a government plan to replace the existing licence-fee system with direct financing from the state budget. The proposal, championed by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, would cut broadcaster revenue by roughly 15 per cent and, according to critics, hand the ruling coalition direct leverage over editorial independence.
A Budgetary Shift With Political Consequences
Under the legislation, Czech Television and Czech Radio would no longer draw income from regular fees paid by households, individuals and businesses. Instead, they would rely on annual appropriations from the state budget. Broadcasters warn the reduction in funding would force staff layoffs, curtail new productions and lead to programme cancellations.
The plan is the centrepiece of a broader agenda pursued by Babiš, the populist billionaire who entered office promising to disrupt the political establishment. He formed a governing coalition last year with two smaller parties associated with extremist views. That alliance has signalled a willingness to scale back support for Ukraine and to reject several core European Union policies.
‘Unprecedented’ Industrial Action
Michal Kubal, chief news editor at Czech Television, described the stoppage as unprecedented in the history of Czech public service media. Viewers tuning
