KSČM: return public service media to public

The debate on the financing of Czech Television and Czech Radio is burdened by emotions and simplistic claims about the “threat to democracy”. The KSČM strongly rejects this hysteria and demands a substantive discussion based on facts and foreign experiences.

Public media are not the property of employees or activist groups such as Million Moments for Democracy, but public service institutions responsible for the entire society. Cries such as “we will not give our television” testify to a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of public media in our society.

We consider the political involvement of public media employees in the ongoing dispute to be completely unacceptable. Such behavior is contrary to the requirements of impartiality and independence set out in the Act on Czech Television. An impartial media outlet cannot simultaneously act as a political actor. Also worrying are cases where some students participated in demonstrations against the abolition of concession fees with excused absences from classes.

The KSČM has long had reservations about balance, objectivity and pluralism in public media. This debate is legitimate and cannot be dismissed as an attack on democracy. There is no single correct financing model. Experience from Europe shows that even budgetary financing can work without losing independence. Institutional guarantees, control and the legal framework are crucial.

The KSČM therefore calls for a substantive debate, strengthening control of public media and consistent fulfillment of their public service for the benefit of all citizens.

Central Committee of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia