By Fatma Younis
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Prague on Sunday to protest a government plan to overhaul the funding structure for public broadcasters. Protesters expressed concerns that the proposed changes threaten the independence of public media.
Mass Demonstrations in Prague
The crowds, which exceeded the capacity of Old Town Square and spilled into surrounding streets, reacted to the ruling coalition's decision to advance the funding draft in the lower house of Parliament. Demonstrators criticized the timing of the vote, which occurred at 4:36 a.m. following a rushed parliamentary process that limited opposition debate.
Mikuláš Minář, a key organizer from the Million Moments for Democracy group, condemned the government's tactics, comparing the decision-making process to authoritarian regimes. Protesters are demanding the withdrawal of the draft and calling on the government to allow for comprehensive public debate.
Proposed Funding Changes and Criticisms
Under the current government plan, public radio and television would be financed directly from the state budget rather than through regular fees from individuals and businesses. This transition is expected to result in a funding reduction of approximately 15% for public media outlets.
Critics argue that shifting funding to the state budget provides the ruling coalition with a mechanism to exert control over the media, drawing parallels to recent political developments in Slovakia and Hungary. The government, led by Andrej Babiš, has a history of criticizing mainstream and public media outlets.
Planned Strikes and Future Protests
In response to the legislative move, public media staff members have announced an upcoming strike scheduled for November 3. The movement has gained support from labor unions, university rectors, religious institutions, and international media organizations.
Organizers have also vowed to hold another large-scale rally at Prague's Letná Park on November 15. This date falls just two days before the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which ended totalitarian rule in the country.
