Czech Citizens Rally in Prague to Shield Public TV

In the heart of Prague, a crowd gathered on Tuesday, turning the Old Town Square into a stage for democracy.

Cause: Protest against shifting public broadcaster funding from the licence fee to the national budget, which could reduce total support for independent TV and radio.
Demand: Keep broadcasters free from government interference.

Key Points

Item	Details
Licence Fee	Raised to 205 crowns (~$10) a month, the first hike in nearly twenty years.
Proposed Shift	All licence fee revenue to be funneled into the national budget, with inflation‑adjusted budgets replacing the fee.
Government Stance	Claims independence will remain intact through parliamentary boards and new funding models.
Public Reaction	Tens of thousands marched, waving flags and signs reading “Hands Off the Media.”
International View	Reporters Without Borders warns the new model could “pull the rug out” from under broadcasters.
Political Context	Prime Minister Andrej Babis and the ANO party campaigned on ending licence fees; critics compare plans to media control moves in Slovakia and Hungary.

The demonstration highlights a clear divide: citizens want to protect the media from political influence, while the government argues that cost savings and budget changes are fair. Whether the plan will succeed or fail remains to be seen, but Prague’s streets have spoken loud and clear.

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