Another rally in support of public media is being held in Prague on Tuesday, this time called Hands off the media! The protestors gathered in the early evening at Staromestská námestí, from where they plan to march all the way to Czech Radio on Vinohradská street. The organizer of the event, Milion chvilek association, demands the withdrawal of the draft law on public service media, which it perceives as an attempt by the government to gain political control over Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo). The association announced that protest actions will soon take place throughout the republic, reports TASR correspondent in Prague.
“We are convinced that the media does not belong in the hands of the politicians. And we are determined to make it clear. Until now, we have mainly organized protests in one place. The time has come to show the politicians that we can stir up the whole city,” they announced in the invitation to the protest march. The last time a support action for public service media took place two weeks ago. The students then left classes and marched to the Ministry of Culture.
If the coalition does not withdraw the bill, which wants to change the financing of public media from concession fees to a contribution from the state budget, Milion chvilek announces further protest actions. Protests should take place in the regions next Sunday and again in Prague a week later. “We have to show the politicians that we mean it and that we will not allow Czech Television and Czech Radio to become a mouthpiece for politicians,” declared the organizers.
After the opening speeches on the Old Town Square, there will be a march through the city center to Czech Radio. Just on Tuesday, politicians commemorated the 81st anniversary of the Prague Uprising in front of the radio, in which radio played an important role.
In mid-April, the Czech Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř presented a draft of the legislation by which he wants to abolish concessionary fees from next year and finance public service media with a specific amount from the state budget. According to this proposal, both Czech Television and Czech Radio would receive less money for their activities in 2027 than they will receive from concession fees this year.
Both CT and CRo criticized the proposal. According to them, it opens up space for external pressure or the weakening of editorial autonomy instead of strengthening their stability and credibility. Two weeks ago, the trade unions of both media outlets declared an unlimited strike emergency in response to the announced changes. However, the government denies that the proposed legislation would threaten the independence of these media or democracy in the Czech Republic. The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, repeatedly called it nonsense and added that the proposal will still be discussed.
