Prague protest over media freedom expected to be biggest in Czechia’s history
Rally planned at Letná Plain
Organisers expect between 400,000 and 600,000 people at Letná Plain, overlooking Prague’s historic centre. The demonstration is the latest in a series of protests in towns and cities across the country.
Daniel Stach, a TV presenter and prominent campaign figure, said some people would use the rally to express broader opposition to the government. Staff at Czech TV and Czech Radio have also held a strike.
Dispute over broadcaster funding
The government plan would scrap licence fees and fund the public broadcasters through the state budget. Protesters argue that this could give ministers more leverage over newsrooms and weaken media independence. They point to Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Serbia, where current or former rightwing populist governments have eroded media independence.
Media groups criticize plan
The European Broadcasting Union, the European Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and the International Press Institute have criticized the proposal. They compared it with controversial steps taken by Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, and Hungary’s former premier, Viktor Orbán.
Key points
- Organisers expect 400,000 to 600,000 people at Letná Plain on Sunday.
- Protesters oppose replacing licence fees with funding from the state budget.
- The rally follows weeks of demonstrations and a strike by Czech TV and Czech Radio staff.
- Babiš says his government will not interfere in editorial work.