The Council of the Church of the Brethren (Církev bratrská) has published a statement urging members of the Czech Parliament not to endanger the independence of the country's public service media. The council said it was watching Parliament's hurried proceedings on changes to the financing of Czech Television and Czech Radio with concern. The statement was published on the church's portal on 25 October 2026 and signed by chairman David Novák together with first vice-chairman Bronislav Matulík and second vice-chairman Tadeáš Filipek.
In the statement, the council places public service media alongside civil society and independent courts as guarantees of democracy, and asks legislators to act wisely. It expresses support for Czech Television and Czech Radio and appreciation for their service to the people of the Czech Republic. The council also backs keeping the present financing principle, under which the two broadcasters are funded through licence fees, rather than the change now before Parliament.
The Church of the Brethren is a Czech free evangelical denomination, and its council is the church's national leadership body. The statement ends by expressing the hope that deputies will decide in favour of the country's citizens and by assuring them of the council's prayers.
(Originally published in Czech. Summary translated by CC / Connexion.)
Source: Církev bratrská / Brána — portal.cb.cz/cs/clanky/13935-prohlaseni-rady-cb-k-nezavislosti-a-financovani-verejnopravnich-medii
