Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Czech Public Television headquarters in Prague on Sunday to protest a government plan to overhaul public media financing. Organized by the civic group Million Moments for Democracy, the rally occurred one day before public broadcasting employees are scheduled to stage a warning strike over the proposed changes.
Under the new plan approved by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s administration, Czech public radio and television will no longer be funded by standard license fees collected from individuals and businesses. Instead, starting next year, funding will be allocated directly from the state budget. The restructuring introduces an immediate 15% budget cut and offers no legal guarantees for future funding levels.
Critics and international media organizations contend the move compromises journalistic independence by putting public broadcasters under direct financial control of the ruling three-party coalition. Opponents argue the model mirrors similar state-budget funding transitions used to control state media in neighboring Slovakia and Hungary.
Prime Minister Babiš defended the legislation, stating that the public media sector must implement immediate cost-saving measures. Conversely, station directors warned that the budget reductions will force hundreds of staff layoffs and deeply reduce programming capabilities.
