Mass Protests Erupt in Czech Republic Over Public Broadcasting Funds

WHO:

AP News - Thousands of Czechs participated in the rally.

AP News - The protest was organized by the Million Moments for Democracy group, with Mikuláš Minář as a main organizer.

AP News - The government is led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

WHAT:

AP News - The government plan to overhaul funding for public broadcasters is expected to leave them with 15% less funding than the current year.

ABC News World - The plan would finance public radio and television from the state budget starting next year, rather than from fees paid by individuals, households, and businesses.

DW.com - The directors of public radio and television stated that the funding cut would require them to lay off hundreds of staffers.

AP News - The plan to overhaul funding for public broadcasters was approved last week.

AP News - The funding cut would leave public media with no guarantees of continued future funding.

AP News - Babiš stated that most taxpayers do not want to pay for public media services and that the media need to save money.

AP News - Thousands of Czechs rallied to condemn a government plan to overhaul funding for public broadcasters.

AP News - The government plan would finance public radio and television from the state budget starting next year, rather than from fees paid by individuals, households, and businesses.

AP News - Critics argue that the plan would reduce media funding by about 15% compared to the current year.

AP News - The directors of public radio and television stated that the funding cut would require them to lay off hundreds of staffers.

WHERE:

AP News - The rally took place in front of the Czech public television offices in Prague.

WHY:

AP News - Critics argue that the funding overhaul poses a danger to the independence of public broadcasters, drawing comparisons to media control by populist governments in Slovakia and Hungary.

AP News - Protesters believe the funding overhaul poses a danger to the independence of public broadcasters.

AP News - Critics cite examples of media control by populist governments in Slovakia and Hungary as a reason for concern.

HOW:

ABC News World - Protesters carried banners saying "Hands off public media" during the rally.

DW.com - The demonstrations were shortened due to a heatwave currently affecting Europe.

AP News - The rally was held a day before public broadcaster staffers planned to go on a warning strike.

AP News - The government plan has been criticized by international media organizations.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 14:53 UTC)

The government's plan to overhaul funding for public broadcasters is set to reduce their budget by 15% compared to the current year, transitioning to state budget financing instead of fees from individuals and businesses starting next year. This funding cut has raised concerns among the directors of public radio and television, who warn it could lead to hundreds of staff layoffs, while critics argue it threatens the independence of these media outlets, likening it to media control seen in Slovakia and Hungary. In response to these changes, protesters have taken to the streets, carrying banners that read "Hands off public media."

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 06:45 UTC)

The plan to overhaul funding for public broadcasters has been approved, which could leave public media without guarantees of future funding. In response to this decision, protesters rallied, carrying banners that read "Hands off public media," although their demonstrations were cut short due to a heatwave sweeping across Europe. Meanwhile, Babiš expressed that most taxpayers are not in favor of financing public media services and emphasized the need for the media to cut costs.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 03:35 UTC)

Thousands of Czechs gathered in front of the Czech public television offices in Prague to protest a government plan that would overhaul funding for public broadcasters. Organized by the Million Moments for Democracy group and led by Mikuláš Minář, the rally aimed to condemn a proposal that critics say could cut media funding by about 15% and threaten the independence of public broadcasters. This demonstration took place just a day before public broadcaster staffers were set to go on a warning strike, highlighting the urgency of their concerns amid fears of media control by populist governments.