Thousands of Czechs rally against government plan to overhaul funding of public broadcasters

People attend a protest rally in support of public media as the Czech government plans to revamp and cut funding for Czech TV and Czech Radio, in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026.

| Photo Credit: Reuters

Thousands of Czechs rallied in the capital on Sunday (June 21, 2026) to condemn a plan by the government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to overhaul funding for public broadcasters that is considered dangerous for their independence.

The protesters gathered in front of the Czech public television offices in Prague to voice their support for the media a day before their staffers plan to go on a warning strike and after recent protest marches in the regional capitals and Prague.

According to the plan approved by the government, public radio and television would be financed from the state budget starting next year, and not from fees paid by individuals, households and businesses.

Critics say that change would give the three-party coalition government a means to take control of the media following the examples of populist governments in Slovakia under Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

“The media don't belong to politicians,” Mikuláš Minár, a main organizer from the Million Moments for Democracy group said. “They belong to us all and we won't allow them to be stolen from us." Mr. Babiš, members of his government and loyal lawmakers have a record of attacks against the public and other mainstream media.

The government plan, which has been criticized by international media organizations, would give the media about 15 per cent less money than they have this year. It contains no guarantees of funding in the future.

The directors of public radio and television said that would require them to lay off hundreds of staffers. Babiš said the media need to save money.

The agenda of Mr. Babiš' coalition includes steering the country away from supporting Ukraine and rejecting some key EU policies.

Published - June 22, 2026 02:45 am IST