Thousands Protest Czech Government Plan to Rework Public Media Funding

Thousands of people demonstrated in Prague on Sunday against a plan by the Czech right-wing government to change how public broadcasters are financed. Critics say the proposal would weaken independent media and open the door to political interference, while government supporters argue it is a cost-saving measure for public institutions.

The protest came a day before workers at Czech Television and Czech Radio were due to begin a warning strike. The strike is expected to disrupt programming, but both stations will keep broadcasting. Organizers from the Million Moments for Democracy group said, "The media does not belong to politicians," and one of its leaders, Mikoláš Minář, told demonstrators that the broadcasters belong to the public and must not be taken away from it.

Under the plan approved last week by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's coalition of right-wing and far-right parties, license fees paid by individuals, households and businesses would be abolished. Starting next year, public broadcasters would instead be funded from the state budget. According to the government, most people no longer want to keep paying the fees. Opponents warn that state funding would give the government leverage over the outlets.

The march was shortened because of a heat wave in Prague and other parts of Europe. CTK reported that thousands joined the rally and walked toward Czech Television headquarters with signs reading, "Hands off public media." Critics compared the move to steps taken in Slovakia under Robert Fico and in Hungary under Viktor Orban. The plan would cut public broadcasting budgets by about 15% compared with this year, with no guarantee of future funding, and television executives warned that 300 to 500 of the broadcaster's 2,900 employees could lose their jobs. Babiš said the media should reduce spending, while the government denied the changes threaten editorial independence.