Thousands in Prague Protest Czech Government Plan to Rework Public Media Funding

Thousands of people demonstrated in Prague on Sunday against a plan by Czechia’s new right-wing government to change how public broadcasters are funded. Critics say the proposal would weaken independent media and open the door to political interference, while supporters of the government argue it is simply an effort to improve efficiency in public institutions.

The protest came a day before employees of Czech public television and radio were due to begin a warning strike. The strike is expected to disrupt programming, but both broadcasters will keep airing. Organizers from the Million Moments for Democracy movement said, “The media do not belong to politicians.” Movement leader Mikuláš Minář told the crowd that the broadcasters belong to the public and that they would not allow them to be taken away.

The government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, backed by right-wing and far-right parties, approved the plan last week. Under it, licensing fees paid by individuals, households and businesses would be abolished, and starting next year public broadcasters would be financed from the state budget. The government says most people do not want to keep paying the fees, but opponents warn that state funding would give officials leverage over editorial independence.

According to CTK, the rally drew thousands who marched through the capital toward the Czech Television building carrying signs reading, “Hands off public media.” Because of a heat wave, the route was shortened. The plan would cut public broadcasters’ budgets by about 15% from this year’s level and leave no guarantee of future funding. Czech Television’s director general said 300 to 500 of the station’s 2,900 employees could lose their jobs. Critics compared the move to actions taken in Slovakia under Robert Fico and in Hungary under Viktor Orban, and international media groups have also condemned it.