The Czech Republic has been highlighted as a model for other post-communist countries in terms of the independence of public media, according to a new report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The document commends recent reforms that have strengthened the funding and governance of Czech Television and Czech Radio. However, it also warns that even this positive model faces strong pressures from the domestic political scene.

The report analyzes the state of public media across Europe and was published at a time when "Orbanization"—efforts by politicians to control media following the Hungarian model—is gaining traction in some European countries. RSF dedicates a notable section to the Czech Republic, praising this year's increase in television and radio fees, which are set to rise automatically with inflation in the future. The report also applauds a 2022 amendment that grants the Senate the power to appoint one-third of the councils overseeing Czech Television and Czech Radio, with candidates nominated exclusively by long-established organizations and associations.

Overall, the Czech Republic ranks among countries with "strong" editorial independence in public media. Despite the praise, the report notes that the situation is not without risks. It describes the Czech Republic as facing "high pressure" on its public media, primarily from opposition figures. Specifically mentioned are Andrej Babiš and Tomio Okamura, with the report recalling obstruction tactics during the approval of media legislation and attacks on the independence of news reporting.

Both politicians advocate replacing media fees with direct state budget funding—a move RSF criticizes as making media vulnerable to political influence. The document also mentions opposition plans to merge Czech Television and Czech Radio should they come to power after the 2025 autumn elections.

The Czech model is contrasted with the situation in Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy, where governments are systematically undermining media independence, according to RSF. While Slovakia abolished its original public media and replaced it with a government-controlled institution, the Czech Republic is moving in the opposite direction.

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), set to take effect in August 2025, aims to strengthen safeguards for public media across the EU. The binding regulation requires member states to ensure editorial and operational independence, as well as adequate and predictable funding. The RSF report notes that the Czech Republic already fulfills many of these principles and could serve as inspiration for other former Eastern Bloc countries adjusting their legislation.

One of the biggest challenges, the report states, is political influence over media leadership appointments. In Greece, Poland, Italy, and Malta, executives are directly appointed by the government or political parties, leading to politicized decision-making and threats to editorial autonomy. Italy is cited as an example, where critics accuse Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government of turning public broadcaster RAI into "Tele Meloni" due to alleged pressure on journalists and censorship.

Another key issue is funding instability, which often becomes a tool in political battles. RSF warns against abolishing media fees in favor of direct state funding, as it diminishes independence and leaves media vulnerable to annual political negotiations and budget cuts. Citing data from the European Broadcasting Union, the report notes that when fees are replaced by state funding, public media budgets shrink by around 9%. Conversely, budgets increase with fee reforms (+14%) or when replaced by a dedicated tax (+9%).

"Public media are, of course, not above criticism—especially since they belong to the citizens—but the intensity of attacks against them poorly disguises attempts at political manipulation. The road to hell is paved with good financial intentions," remarked RSF Director-General Thibaut Bruttin.