Thousands Protest in Prague as Government Advances Public Media Funding Overhaul
Critics say the shift to state-budget financing could weaken broadcaster independence and cut funding by about 15%, fueling fears of political pressure.
- On Friday, the Czech ruling coalition fast-tracked legislation to shift public media financing into the state budget and cut funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio. The lower house extended the first of three required readings into Saturday to overcome opposition obstruction.
- Billionaire Andrej Babis leads the populist government, which pledged before last year's election to abolish licence fees. The government cited a European trend under which "ever more European countries depart from the fee-funded principle," the proposal submitted to parliament said.
- The proposal would cut funding for the broadcasters by about 15% and scrap the 205 crowns monthly licence fee households currently pay. Critics argue these changes would leave Czech Television and Czech Radio more vulnerable to political influence.
- Pirate Party leader Zdenek Hrib compared the government's actions to Hungary under former prime minister Viktor Orban, claiming the administration has "embarked on the trajectory of installing an authoritarian regime."
- Reporters Without Borders, the International Press Institute, and the European Broadcasting Union criticized the plan, warning it lacks safeguards against political interference in media coverage. Journalists say the proposals have not been subjected to sufficient public debate.
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Vienna, Oct 25 (EFE).- Tens of thousands of people protested this Sunday in the center of Prague against the plans of the populist and nationalist government of the Czech Republic to eliminate the fee paid by each household for public radio and television in the Central European country, reported Radio Prague in its electronic version. [...] The entry Thousands of people protest in Prague against the law that reduces funding to the public media …
Czech public television and radio are financed by subscription. Protesters filled Prague's Old Town Square.
Prague's historic Old Town Square was filled with tens of thousands of people who said that Andrej Babis' government could jeopardize the independence of public media with budget changes.
Thousands of people gathered this afternoon in the Old Town Square in Prague to protest against the abolition of the television canon, accusing the government of stifling the freedom of the press. (ANSA)
Thousands gather in Prague to protest licence fee plans
The Czech lower house of parliament voted on Saturday to fast-track a bill that would abolish licence fees for public media and replace them with direct allocations from the state budget. The legislation, backed by the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis and including two far-right parties, must still be passed by the upper house before becoming law. The plans have drawn criticism from the opposition, which has pledged to chal…
In Prague, hundreds of people protest against Babish's government — demand to preserve media independence Hundreds of people in <p>Prague have spoken out against the Babish government's plans to abolish licensing fees for television and radio. Media workers have gone on strike.</p>
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Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
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