Czech Media Workers Announce Strike Against Proposed Funding Changes

Employees of Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) have announced a full-day strike on November 3rd to protest against the government's plans to abolish mandatory television and radio fees. The government proposes to finance public media directly from the state budget instead, which workers fear may strengthen political influence on journalists and threaten the independence of the media. The strike is a reaction to the decision of the government coalition parties to put on the agenda for Friday's session the first reading of a law that would abolish concession fees.