Czech Republic advances media funding overhaul despite criticism

The Czech governing coalition voted in a rare overnight session on Saturday to send a bill to committees that would replace the 205-crown household broadcasting fee with funding from the state budget. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš says the change would be fairer to poorer households and encourage media outlets to become more efficient. Public broadcaster employees, who went on strike in June, and opposition parties warn that the new model could leave broadcasters more vulnerable to government pressure. The proposal would cut funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by about 15 percent, and a civic group has called a protest for Sunday.