On Our Radar | 13 March 2026
This edition: An NHK journalist detained in Iran, BHRT's funding crisis, the future of USAGM & VOA, and a threat to Czech Radio.
The two questions shaping the public media funding debate in 2026
Is the licence fee on the brink of extinction? With direct government funding in vogue, should we be concerned?
Media freedom groups urge Czechia’s government to uphold public media’s independence
PMA has coordinated an open letter calling on the new government of the Czech Republic to uphold funding and independence of public media.
PMA signs letter urging Czech MPs to pass media act amendment
PMA joins fellow media groups in urging Czech politicians to pass Media Act amendment to better protect independence of public broadcasters.
PMA joins call for Czech EU presidency to champion media freedom
The Public Media Alliance signs letter to the Czech Prime Minister alongside 17 other media freedom and journalist organisations, on the day before he assumes the EU Presidency.
Focus On: The future of the Czech Republic’s public media
Big changes are coming to public media in the Czech Republic, from significant budget cuts to planned amendments of the public media act.
Czech Republic: Independence of public broadcasters must be insulated against future attacks
Joint statement calling on the Czech Government to live up to its promises to strengthen the independence of public broadcasters ahead of its EU presidency.
Ukraine war: Public media podcasts with unique takes
From an open API to practical info for refugees, pop-up public media podcasts on the Ukraine war are engaging audiences in unique ways.
Podcasts and public media: children’s content
In this edition of our podcast series, we explore the growth in public media podcasts for children and their role during the COVID-19 pandemic.