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Prague rally against Czech broadcaster funding changes could draw hundreds of thousands
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to rally in Prague against the Czech government’s plan to scrap licence fees for public broadcasters and fund them from the state budget. Organisers say the demonstration could be one of the largest in the country’s history, reflecting concern that the change could give ministers greater influence over newsrooms.
The Million Moments for Democracy group expects 400,000 to 600,000 people at Letná Plain, following weeks of protests and a strike by Czech TV and Czech Radio staff. The proposed changes would cut the broadcasters’ budgets by about 15% and have been criticised by international media organisations, which cite concerns about media independence in countries including Slovakia and Hungary. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš rejects claims that the plan threatens editorial freedom; the current licence fees total 205 koruna (£7.03) a month.
In short
- Up to 600,000 people are expected to protest in Prague.
- The dispute centres on replacing broadcaster licence fees with state funding.
- Babiš says the government will not interfere in editorial work.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Keeping licence fees separate from the state budget can help shield public broadcasters from political pressure, since ministers would have less direct control over their funding. Supporters of the protest also argue that a planned budget cut of about 15% could weaken the broadcasters’ ability to provide independent, comprehensive news, and that recent examples in the region make safeguards especially important.
The case against
Replacing licence fees with state funding could make the system simpler and allow public broadcasting to be financed through the ordinary budget, rather than a separate household charge. The government’s case is that this change need not compromise editorial freedom; with transparent funding rules and protections for newsroom independence, broadcasters could remain autonomous while the public bears a different funding arrangement.
Explained simply
Czech Television and Czech Radio are the country’s public broadcasters, providing news and other programmes. Their work is currently funded partly by a monthly fee paid by households, separate from the government budget.
The proposed change would end that fee and pay for the broadcasters through state funds. The government says the change would reduce their budgets; critics worry that relying on money approved by ministers could affect their independence.
The debate matters because public broadcasters are expected to report on the government as well as other public affairs. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš rejects claims that the plan would threaten their editorial freedom.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Protest in Prague over media freedom expected to be one of biggest in Czechia’s history”.