Thousands protest in Prague against public media funding reforms

Notably, a number of thousand residents have taken to the streets in Prague to protest against intends to change the funding system for the Czech Republic's public media, accusing the administration of stifling press freedom.

Key points

• The bill, proposed by the governing coalition led by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
• Babis and his coalition, whose agenda includes reducing backing for Ukraine as it fights off a Russian invasion, have a record of attacks against the media.
• On Sunday, protesters demanded the withdrawal of legislation seeking to abolish household licence fees and replace them with state budget allocations for public radio and television.
• The opposition has pledged to challenge the legislation in the constitutional court.
• Babis has remarked the plan is not an attack on media independence but a matter of funding transparency.

Meanwhile, the Czech lower house of parliament approved fast-tracking the bill in a rare overnight vote on Saturday after governing coalition lawmakers rushed to open the matter, limiting the opposition's ability to engage in debate before the vote was held.

In practice, the bill, proposed by the governing coalition led by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis. It includes two far-right parties, must still be passed by the upper house before becoming law.

Notably, the opposition has pledged to challenge the legislation in the constitutional court. The plan would cut funding for public media by regarding 15 percent, possibly as early as next year.

At the protest in Prague's Old Town Square, demonstrators chanted, "We've had enough", "This must not be allowed to pass", and "4: 36", referencing the early morning hour when the draft was approved by parliament.

Critics warn the proposed change would allow the governing coalition to take control of the media. They compare it with the actions of populist governments, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Public media staffers confirmed they would go on strike on November 3. They are backed by labour unions, university rectors, churches, international media organisations and plenty of others.

In practice, a rally is additionally planned at Prague's Letna park on November 15, two days before the anniversary of the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution that concluded more than 40 years of totalitarian administration.

Taken together, the developments around thousands protest in Prague against public media funding reforms point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.