Resistance against the government Thousands demonstrate for media freedom in the Czech Republic
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in several Czech cities to demonstrate for the independence of public radio and television. They were protesting against plans by the right-wing populist government of Prime Minister and billionaire Andrej Babis.
17.05.2026, 21:58
18.05.2026, 09:00
SDA
The three-party coalition wants to abolish radio and television fees and instead make Czech Television CT and Czech Radio (Cesky rozhlas CRo) dependent on direct state funding in future. Critics fear that this will jeopardize the independence of the broadcasters and open the door to political influence.
Less money for public broadcasters
The demonstrations in twelve of the country's largest cities were called by the "One Million Moments for Democracy" movement, which had organized a similar protest rally in the capital Prague almost two weeks ago. The organizers and participants in the demonstration criticized a draft law by Culture Minister Oto Klempir of the Motorist Party. Among other things, it provides for CT and CRo to be financed directly from the state budget from 2027. There will also be significantly less money than before.
Images published by the CTK news agency showed, among other things, demonstrators gathering in front of the radio building in Brno and waving Czech flags. Banners read: "Freedom for the media!" and addressed to the TV and radio journalists: "We are with you!". Radio employees unfurled a banner from a studio window with the reply: "We thank you!"
A coalition of Babis' right-wing populist ANO party, the ultra-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists party has been in power in the Czech Republic since December.
