Czech parliament advances public media reform bill despite opposition

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has moved an amendment to laws governing Czech Television and Czech Radio to its second reading, despite opposition efforts to block or revise the bill.

The amendment passed its first hurdle with only ANO and SPD parties voting against it. Opposition attempts to reject the bill outright or return it to the Ministry of Culture for refinement both failed to gain sufficient support.

Minister of Culture Martin Baxa (ODS) defended the amendment, stating, "Independent and financially stable public service media are pillars of democracy." He argued that the proposed changes, while sparking discussion, are necessary to secure the stability and independence of public service media.

The bill now moves to the Committee on Media Affairs for review. Opposition party ANO announced plans to prepare amendments addressing the impact on entrepreneurs, after failing to involve the Economic Committee in the review process.

A proposal for the Supreme Audit Office to audit the broadcasters' finances was rejected. Deputy Marek Benda (ODS) explained that such an audit would be illegal under current law, which restricts the office to auditing public funds.

The Chamber of Deputies will resume discussions on the amendment in September following a parliamentary recess, with a final vote expected during the October session.