Czechs protest plan to change public media funding

Thousands of people gathered in central Prague on Sunday to protest the Czech government's plan to scrap the licence fee and fund public media from the state budget. Organisers said around 400,000 people took part.

Protest and funding plan

The demonstration was organised by the Million Moments for Democracy association at Letna Park in Prague. The protest took place two days before the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution protests.

Under the plan, public radio and television broadcasters would be financed from the state budget, replacing the existing system of regular fees paid by individuals, households, and businesses. Broadcasters would receive about 15% less money than they do now, which could lead to layoffs, limited production, and program cancellations. Czech households currently pay 205 crowns ($9.44; £7.06) a month for TV and radio.

Government and critics

The coalition government, which consists of the populist ANO party and two right-wing Eurosceptic parties, insists the change will not affect editorial independence, but wants broadcasters to cut costs. Parliament passed the first draft of the proposal late last month.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis said: "The funding system is changing, no one wants to control public media, no one wants to dictate to them what they should say and do, no one wants to nationalise them." He added: "We are doing this because the system is already outdated and most of Europe is going the same way today and others are joining in."

Critics say the plans would allow politicians to stifle media freedom. Some protesters compared the government's media bill to changes in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Pavol Szalai, Prague Bureau director of Reporters Without Borders, said in June: "Political attacks against private and public media have become one of the hallmarks of Andrej Babis' premiership."

Why it matters

• Around 400,000 people protested in Prague against the public media funding change.
• Public broadcasters would receive about 15% less money under the plan.
• The government says editorial independence will not be affected; critics say politicians could stifle media freedom.

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Sources

• newser.com: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Cuts to Public Broadcasting
• bbc.com: Czechs rally against plan to switch funding of public media

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.