Thousands Protest in Prague as Government Advances Public Media Funding Overhaul
Critics say the plan would cut funding by about 15% and increase political pressure on Czech Television and Czech Radio.
- 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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164 Articles
INTELLINEWS
Courrier internationalThe will of the government of the Czech Prime Minister, the populist Andrej Babis, to reform the financing of the public media is a strong cause for concern.
Thousands of people demonstrated in Prague last Sunday against a government plan to change the funding of Czech public television and radio. Critics fear that the government's plan could reduce the independence of public media.
Demonstrators gather at the Old Town Square to protest a controversial reform and warn against a restriction of press freedom.
Thousands of people protested on the weekend in the centre of Pragai against the dismantling of the audiovisual service, accusing the government of wanting to undermine the freedom of the press, AFP reports.
In the Czech capital Prague, thousands of people protested last Sunday against a planned reform of the public broadcaster. The demonstrators fear that the government wants to reduce press freedom.
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- 41% of the sources lean Left
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