May 17, 2026, 9:11 p.mMay 17, 2026, 9:11 p.m
In office since December and there is already resistance against him: Prime Minister Andrej Babis.Image: keystone
Thousands of people took to the streets in several cities in the Czech Republic to demonstrate for the independence of public radio and television. They protested against plans by the right-wing populist government of Prime Minister and billionaire Andrej Babis.
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 the future. Critics fear that this will endanger the independence of broadcasters and open the door to political influence.
Less money for public broadcasters
The “One Million Moments for Democracy” movement, which had organized a similar protest rally in the capital Prague almost two weeks ago, called for the demonstrations in twelve of the country’s largest cities. The criticism of the organizers and the demonstration participants was directed against a draft law by Culture Minister Oto Klempir from the Motorist Party. Among other things, it stipulates that CT and CRo should be financed directly from the state budget from 2027. In addition, there should be significantly less money than before.
Images published by the CTK news agency showed, among other things, demonstrators gathering in front of the broadcasting building in Brno, waving Czech flags. The banners read, among other things: “Freedom for the media!” and addressed to the TV and radio journalists: “We are with you!”. Radio employees unrolled a banner from a studio window with the answer: “We thank you!”
A coalition of the right-wing populist party ANO von Babis, the ultra-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the motorist party Motorists have been in power in the Czech Republic since December. (sda/dpa)