Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Prague on Sunday against the Czech government's plan to overhaul funding for public broadcasters, with lead organiser Mikuláš Minář saying the rally drew an estimated 350,000 people. Protesters demanded the plan be withdrawn.
The protest, organised by the Million Moments for Democracy group, took place at the capital's Letná Park, where huge crowds gathered during the 1989 Velvet Revolution. It came two days before the anniversary of those protests and drew a crowd. Minář said they were witnessing something extraordinary that day.
The government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš wants to finance public radio and television from the state budget instead of the existing system of fees paid by individuals and businesses. The broadcasters would receive about 15% less money than now, which could lead to layoffs and program cuts.
Opponents argue the overhaul would give the three-party coalition the means to control the media, similar to steps taken in Slovakia under Robert Fico and in Hungary before Viktor Orbán was ousted in April. "We refuse the Slovak scenario," one banner read. "Hands off the media," said another.
The coalition moved the bill through its first reading in the lower house on October 24, limiting opposition speaking time before voting at 4:36 a.m. Thousands protested the next day, and public media employees went on strike on November 3, backed by labour unions, universities, artists and international media organisations.
"We are here to stand up against the rule by force in the style of 4:36," Minář said.
Babiš has vowed to press ahead with the plan and denied it would affect media freedom. His ANO movement returned to power last year in coalition with the anti-migrant, pro-Russian Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves. He has opposed some key EU policies on environment and migration and rejected financial aid for Ukraine.
The European Parliament debated media freedom and the rule of law in the Czech Republic on Wednesday. EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said national legislation must ensure funding for public service media is based on transparent criteria and guarantees "adequate, sustainable and predictable financial resources".
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The outcome will set a precedent for public media independence in Central Europe, with critics warning of a slide toward state control seen in neighbouring countries.
- A further erosion of media freedom in an EU member state could trigger institutional responses from Brussels and affect the bloc's internal democratic standards.
- The protest's size signals deep public opposition, but Babiš's coalition has shown willingness to push legislation through despite street demonstrations.
Background
The Czech Republic emerged from 41 years of communist rule in the 1989 Velvet Revolution, a peaceful mass movement that made Letná Park a symbol of civic action. Babiš, a populist billionaire whose ANO movement won last year's election, has governed in coalition with two smaller parties that share his eurosceptic and anti-immigration stance. His government has faced criticism from NATO allies for low defence spending and from Brussels for its positions on Ukraine and migration. The public media funding proposal would replace the current fee system with direct state budget allocation, a model critics say makes broadcasters vulnerable to political pressure.
Key Perspectives
Protesters and Million Moments for Democracy: say the plan gives the government means to control public media, echoing steps taken in Slovakia and Hungary, and demand its withdrawal.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš: says the overhaul will not affect media freedom and intends to press ahead despite the protests.
EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath: says national legislation must provide for transparent, adequate and predictable funding for public service media.
What to Watch
- The bill's second and third readings in the lower house, where the coalition may again try to limit debate.
- Whether the public media strike escalates or draws further international solidarity.
- The European Commission's next steps on the rule of law in the Czech Republic, including possible infringement proceedings.