Thousands rally in Prague over fears for public media independence

PRAGUE: Several thousand people gathered outside the headquarters of public broadcaster Czech Television (CT) in Prague on Sunday for a solidarity rally, the CTK news agency and Czech media reported, according to the German Press Agency (dpa).

The demonstrators were protesting against government plans that they fear could make Czech Television and Czech Radio (CRo) more politically dependent.

The government of right-wing populist prime minister Andrej Babis decided a few days ago to abolish radio and television licence fees. Instead, under the government’s plans, public broadcasters would be financed directly from the state budget from the start of next year.

They are also set to receive less money than before. Babis had previously said there was enough potential for savings at the broadcasters. He promised there would be no political interference.

The rally was called by the civic movement “A Million Moments for Democracy”, which had already organised similar protests in all major Czech cities in May.

Organisers and speakers at the rally warned that the broadcasters were at risk of being turned into mouthpieces for the government.

“A free society needs free media,” read the message on banners and in appeals at the protest.

Participants called on culture minister Oto Klempir of the right-wing populist Motorists party to withdraw the government’s plans and resign.

CT employees unfurled banners from the broadcaster’s building with a message to the demonstrators: “Thank you!”

Employees of CT and CRo announced a strike for Monday.

Since December, the Czech Republic has been governed by a coalition comprising Babis’s right-wing populist party ANO, the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists party.