Thousands rallied in Prague against a plan to overhaul Czech public media funding
Thousands rallied in Prague Sunday against the Czech government's proposed public-media funding overhaul after lower-house lawmakers advanced the bill in an overnight vote. It would replace household and business licence fees with state-budget funding, potentially cutting broadcasters' funding by about 15%. Critics warn this could weaken independence; public-media staff plan to strike Nov. 3.
More context
Thousands rallied in Prague on Sunday against a government plan to overhaul funding for Czech public television and radio. Old Town Square overflowed into nearby streets. The protest followed an overnight lower-house vote advancing legislation to abolish household and business licence fees and replace them with state-budget funding. The proposed model could reduce funding by about 15%. Critics say the change could leave broadcasters more vulnerable to political pressure. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš rejected concerns about media independence, saying the plan was intended to improve funding transparency. Mikuláš Minář, a lead organizer with Million Moments for Democracy, told demonstrators the government had gone too far. Protesters called for the draft to be withdrawn and for a full public debate. The bill has moved to parliamentary committees before a later vote. Public media staff plan to strike Nov. 3.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting
- Bloomberg — Thousands Protest in Prague Against Public Media Funding Change - Bloomberg
- The Times of India — 'Had enough': Thousands protest in Prague against Czech government's public media funding overhaul - The Times of India
- Demokratis — Thousands Protest Czech Media Funding Overhaul in Prague
- Newsday — Thousands protest in Prague as government advances public media funding overhaul - Newsday
- Around Prague — Thousands Rally in Prague Against Plan to Overhaul Public Media Funding
- The Nation Thailand — Thousands protest Czech government's public media overhaul
- ABC News — Thousands protest in Prague as government advances public media funding overhaul - ABC News
- europeaninterest.eu — Thousands protest in Prague against Babiš government's attempts to undermine public media independence
Verifier’s note
The results report thousands protesting in Prague on October 25 against the government’s planned public-media funding overhaul, matching the proposed event and its timing. Bloomberg, The Times of India, Demokratis, Nation Thailand, European Interest, and ABC News report the event; Newsday carries the same AP story as ABC News, while Around Prague cites ABC News.