On Our Radar

South Africa and Czechia

30 October 2026

On Our Radar this week: SABC’s funding shortfall puts its election coverage under pressure days before South Africa’s local elections, and Czechia’s public media bill moves to the committee stage amid mass protests and reported considerations of a different funding model.

On Our Radar this week…

PMA is concerned that the SABC’s funding shortfall is putting its coverage of South Africa’s upcoming local government elections under pressure. The SABC initially identified needing an additional R120 million, which has since been revised to R495 million, including R375 million for related infrastructure, according to Communications Minister Solly Malatsi. The Minister has asked the SABC to substantiate its costings, as earlier funding submissions did not result in additional funding. SABC managers have told Parliament they are confident of delivering successful coverage, though it may be scaled down. Media Monitoring Africa has warned that the shortfall is limiting coverage of town halls and debates, and with it the ability of African-language speakers and audiences outside major metro areas to be informed. A parliamentary committee chair has also acknowledged that these funding limits could affect the extent of the SABC’s election coverage.

The shortfall is a symptom of a wider, unresolved crisis. As PMA reported in August, the SABC’s funding model remains undecided. Meanwhile, signal distributor Sentech has told Parliament that the SABC owes it about R1.8 billion. Minister Malatsi has now set 31 March 2027 as the target for submitting a revised funding model, which will inform a revised SABC Bill. The Bill is not expected to reach Parliament until between April 2027 and March 2028.

PMA encourages the South African government to give prompt consideration to the SABC’s election funding needs, and to keep to the 31 March 2027 target for submitting a revised funding model that leads to a sustainable settlement that protects the SABC’s independence. Read more via Cape Times.

PMA is also keeping a close watch on Czechia, where the public media funding bill has moved to committee stage amid mass protests. Last week, the coalition pushed the bill, which would abolish the licence fee and fund Czech Television and Czech Radio directly from the state budget, through its first reading in the early hours of 24 October, after adding it to the agenda only the previous day. The vote passed 96 to 81. Thousands have since protested, with staff at both broadcasters planning a strike on 3 November. The bill would cut Czech Television’s funding by approximately CZK 1 billion a year. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on 26 October that the coalition would not withdraw the bill, though its final form remains open for discussion. Following a meeting with the Prime Minister, Czech Television Director General Hynek Chudárek said that Babiš had raised funding inspired by Nordic countries. Nothing has been agreed or confirmed.

PMA would welcome a mechanism that sets funding apart from annual political negotiation, but direct state budget funding remains our central concern as it could expose both public broadcasters to additional political pressure each year. As written in a recent joint statement with our partners, funding models are a national decision, but such significant reforms must be shaped through open debate and genuine consultation with Česká televize (Czech Television), Český rozhlas (Czech Radio) and other stakeholders.

PMA continues to call on Czech lawmakers to allow enough time for proper scrutiny and inclusive consultation, and to revise the provisions that threaten the financial sustainability and independence of Czech public service media. Read more via Radio Prague International.

PMA Advocacy Team