Thousands of people took to the streets of Prague on Sunday to protest against the Czech government's proposed changes to the funding and administration of public television and radio, warning that the reforms could undermine media independence.
The demonstration followed an initial parliamentary vote on the proposal during an overnight session that critics described as rushed and lacking sufficient public debate.
The proposed legislation seeks to abolish household fees currently used to finance Czech Television and Czech Radio and transfer their funding to the state budget.
Critics argue that the change could expose public broadcasters to political interference by making their finances more dependent on government decisions.
The government, led by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and supported by the far-right SPD party, has defended the proposal, saying it is intended to improve transparency in public media financing rather than weaken editorial independence.
Protesters Condemn Rushed Parliamentary Vote
The controversy intensified after the bill was unexpectedly introduced for its first reading in the lower house of parliament on Friday, outside the planned order of proceedings.
Parliamentary Speaker Tomio Okamura, a member of the SPD party, restricted debate and scheduled the vote for 4:36 a.m. on Saturday, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers and media advocacy organisations.
Addressing demonstrators gathered at Prague's historic Old Town Square, protest leader Mikuláš Minář accused the government of going too far.
He said the demonstration was intended to send a clear message to the administration, as protesters chanted slogans demanding the government's resignation.
Organisers said further demonstrations were planned as opposition to the proposed reforms continued to grow.
The legislation has now advanced to the parliamentary committee stage before a subsequent vote.
Concerns Over Public Media Independence
Czech Television is the country's most-watched broadcaster across major age groups, while public media organisations remain among the most trusted news sources in the country, according to a 2025 Reuters Institute survey.
Under the proposed reforms, funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio could be reduced by approximately 15%, potentially beginning next year.
Opposition parties have compared the proposed changes to media reforms introduced in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which critics say contributed to the expansion of pro-government media.
On Friday, the European Broadcasting Union and 15 other organisations, including public broadcasters and Reporters Without Borders, called for more extensive debate on the proposal.
They also urged lawmakers to remove provisions that could threaten the financial sustainability of public broadcasters.
President Petr Pavel has similarly called for greater scrutiny by experts, arguing that the country's existing media system functions effectively.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, Pavel said the Czech Republic was among the few countries in Central and Eastern Europe where public-service and private media operated particularly well.
The debate over the legislation is expected to continue as lawmakers consider whether to approve the proposed changes.
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