Marko Vukadinović

Fellow foreign journalists, we in the Czech Republic need your help. We're going on a strike. The current Czech government is following the fallen authoritarian leader of Hungary Viktor Orban and too wants to nationalize Czech Television and Czech Radio. It now, after the midterm election debacle, wants to do so before the public has a chance to voice its opinion. It is hastily convening evening and Saturday sessions of the Chamber of Deputies. The coalition is signaling that it fears the public’s reaction. It is disregarding the opinions of experts, who argue that such a fundamental step as changing the funding of public media must be thoroughly discussed and prepared. The @verejnopravne_ initiative firmly opposes the attempt to push through the nationalization of @CzechTV and @CRozhlas. Experts from the Czech Republic and abroad, a significant portion of society, and both media outlets have clearly stated that the government’s plan threatens the independence and stability of both media outlets. Instead of engaging in a substantive debate, the coalition has decided to force the proposal through. In addition to the fact that the rushed developments in this matter threaten the independence and stability of both media outlets, they will also have a negative impact on the state budget, for which the cabinet has already proposed an exceptionally high deficit. The nationalization of public media will thus hit the wallets of all citizens of the Czech Republic. The government is thereby forcing the employees of Czech Television and Czech Radio to stage a full-day strike. It will take place on Tuesday, November 3. We call on everyone who cares about the future of Czech Television and Czech Radio to make their position known publicly and loudly. We, the employees of both institutions, are prepared to defend both public media outlets. For the people. Not for politicians.