Hundreds of thousands of people are expected at a Prague rally on Sunday, November 15, to oppose a government plan to change how Czech Television and Czech Radio are funded. The demonstration is being organized by Million Moments for Democracy at Letná Park.
The bill would end the broadcasters’ license fee funding and pay for them directly from the state budget. The government’s proposal would cut their funding by about 15% in its first year. The planned rally follows earlier protests and a strike by Czech Television and Czech Radio staff on November 3, which disrupted programming, according to DW.
Critics warn of funding and independence risks
The governing coalition says license fees are an unfair tax and argues that the new arrangement would make the broadcasters more efficient. Opponents, including opposition parties and civil society groups, say state-budget funding could weaken the outlets’ independence. Czech Television and Czech Radio have warned that the proposed reductions could lead to cuts in programming and staff.
Parliament approved the bill’s first reading at 4:36 a.m. on October 24, after the government advanced it during an overnight session. The legislation still has further parliamentary stages to pass.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has said the government will prepare another proposal that would move funding outside the state budget and include guarantees of editorial independence. Critics have said that details of the alternative are not yet clear.
The November 15 rally is scheduled two days before the anniversary of the start of the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Associated Press also reported the planned demonstration and the proposed funding change.
Reid Bentley