Czechia braces for massive protest against public media reform plans
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to rally in Prague this weekend to protest the Czech government's bid to reform public media funding.
The right-populist coalition headed by Prime Minister Andrej Babis fast-tracked the first of three readings of the legislation, which culminated in a vote of approval at 4:36 a.m. on October 24. The bill has already provoked numerous demonstrations and strikes across the country, but Sunday's gathering in the capital's Letna park is likely to be by far the largest to date.
What's in the bill?
Under the government's proposal, the license fee model that currently funds Czech Television (CT) and Czech Radio (CRo) would be scrapped, and the broadcasters would be funded directly from the state budget. The three parties in the coalition — Babis's centrist ANO, the far-right SPD, and radical conservative Motorists — insist that the license fee is an unfair tax.
The parties argue that the new arrangement, which would see funding for CT and CRo cut by around 15% in the first year, would make the two more efficient. They also point out that several other European Union states have made similar changes.
What are the objections?
Critics have angrily dismissed these justifications. Opposition parties, civil society organizations and international watchdogs accuse the government of seeking to undermine the independence of the broadcasters, whose critical reporting has long irked ANO and the SPD in particular.
Such dramatic budget cuts represent an act of cultural vandalism.
Analysts point out that while models in other EU states include guarantees of long-term financial stability and editorial independence, the Czech government proposal offers neither. CT and CRo have warned that the reduced budget will mean programming and staff cuts.
Growing backlash
The backlash was immediate. Crowds picketed parliament through the night as the government pushed through the first reading. Since then, multiple rallies have taken place across the country, led by students and joined by unions, Churches and educational institutions.
CT and CRo staff called a strike in early November, disrupting the country's TV and radio schedules. Sunday's protest will take place two days before the anniversary of the start of the Velvet Revolution in 1989.
The confrontational approach, the attempts to limit parliamentary debate and the government's rhetoric towards journalists and critics have all contributed to the public backlash.
Government response
As anger has swelled, the government has sought to calm the situation. Babis has said that a new proposal, which would see public media funding moved off budget and editorial independence guaranteed, would be drawn up for a full debate.
However, critics remain unimpressed. "Words are worth nothing," said Million Moments for Democracy. "While people stand up for independent media, the government continues to act as if it owns the country."
With little sign that opposition will dissipate, the government faces a choice. It has the parliamentary majority to push the bill through but risks further weakening political support as protests expand to include frustrations over cost of living and housing.
Related
