The institution unified under the name Rozhlas a televížia Slovenska (RTVS) was changed to STVR, and not only the name and visual identity, but also the very structure of operation, underwent a change.
Concession fees as a guarantee of freedom
At the heart of the dispute in the Czech Republic is the government’s plan to abolish television and radio fees. According to the proposed changes, both institutions should be financed directly from the state budget. Although at first glance it may look like a relief for citizens’ wallets, journalists see in it the fear of an attempt to take over.
ČT and CRo employees see this as an attempt to control the media. They published a statement on the website in which they appeal to the public and warn against political attacks.
“We, the employees of Czech Television and Czech Radio, are concerned about the attempt to control the public service media. The government plan to abolish television and radio fees and bring both institutions under the state budget, and therefore also government control, can be a way to do this,” reads the opinion, under which more signatures from employees from Czech Television and Radio are being added.
Accountable to the public, not the government
In the call, they emphasize that the current model of financing through concession fees is crucial for maintaining independence and stability. According to them, the change in the status of public media is being prepared without sufficient professional debate and without convincing arguments.
In the statement, the journalists declare their determination to defend democratic principles:
“We want to continue to be accountable to the public, not politicians, whether government or opposition. The current funding model guarantees the independence and stability of ČT and CRo. We are also concerned about the circumstances of the preparation of a proposal for a fundamental change in the status of public media without sufficient public and professional debate. And without convincing arguments for changing the current proven model. We are determined to protect the principles on which public service media – one of the pillars of democracy – has stood for decades years”.
The campaign also includes a video that started to spread on social networks. In it, employees from the television station recite the text of the challenge.
Watch the full video:
