Thousands protest in Prague against public media funding reforms
Summary
Several thousand people protested in Prague on October 25 against a bill that would replace household licence fees for Czech public radio and television with state budget funding. The lower house approved fast-tracking the bill, which critics say could weaken media independence; it still needs approval from the upper house to become law.Key Facts
- The proposed legislation would abolish household licence fees and fund public radio and television through state budget allocations.
- The lower house approved fast-tracking the bill in an overnight vote on Saturday.
- The governing coalition is led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and includes two far-right parties.
- The plan could reduce public media funding by about 15 percent, possibly starting next year.
- Babiš said the proposal concerns funding transparency, while critics warn it could let the governing coalition control public media.
- The opposition has pledged to challenge the legislation in the constitutional court.
- Public media staff announced a strike for November 3, with backing from unions and other groups.
- Organizers have planned another rally in Prague’s Letná park for November 15.
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