Politics · Germany · 2 hrs ago
Czech lawmakers approve first reading of public media funding bill
Several dozen protesters tried to force their way into Czech parliament in Prague during a demonstration against changes to public media funding.
Police stopped them from entering, while several hundred people gathered outside the building.
The government wants to replace fees paid by television and radio owners with direct funding from the state budget for Czech Television and Radio.
The coalition says the change would not affect editorial independence, but critics fear it could leave the broadcasters more exposed to government influence.
The bill passed its first reading early Saturday, but the funding reform is not yet final.
The broadcasters could face budget cuts of about 15 percent under the proposed system.
The opposition plans to challenge the law in court, with another large protest planned for Sunday and broadcaster staff planning a strike on November 3.
Several dozen protesters tried to force their way into the Czech parliament’s lower house in Prague during demonstrations against a proposed change to public media funding.
Police stopped them; one person was later taken into custody over an alleged attempt to throw a paving stone, according to t-online.
Early Saturday, lawmakers approved the bill in its first reading, but the reform has not been finally adopted.
The proposal would replace receiver fees with direct state funding for Czech public radio and television.
Critics say the change could threaten the broadcasters’ independence, while the government says it will not affect editorial independence or programme content.
- Who
- Several dozen protesters tried to enter the Chamber of Deputies; police stopped them.
- What
- Demonstrators opposed a bill to replace public media receiver fees with state funding. Lawmakers approved the bill in its first reading.
- When
- Friday evening and early Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Where
- The Chamber of Deputies in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Why
- Protesters say state funding could restrict public media and undermine its independence from the government.
Government coalition
Critics and protesters
Funding model
Government coalition
The coalition proposes replacing receiver fees with direct state funding.
Critics and protesters
Critics oppose the change and say it could threaten public media independence.
Effect on broadcasters
Government coalition
The government says the reform will not affect editorial independence or programme content.
Critics and protesters
Critics say the change could restrict broadcasters’ activities and expose them to political influence.
Several dozen protesters tried to enter the Chamber of Deputies, and police prevented them.
Lawmakers approved the public media funding bill in its first reading.
A further large demonstration in Prague was planned.
Employees of public television and radio planned to strike.
- Location
- Chamber of Deputies, Prague
- Protest crowd
- Several hundred people gathered outside the parliament
- First reading
- Bill approved early Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Proposed funding
- Direct state funding instead of receiver fees
- Planned strike
- November 3
3 sources
What people are saying
Several dozen people tried to force their way into the building of the Chamber of Deputies, and police officers from the special law enforcement unit had to stop them. No one was detained, and the situation was brought under control.
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🇨🇿 Protests sweep Prague — dozens attempt to storm parliament building The protest in the Czech capital was organized by the opposition in response to a new law changing how public media outlets are funded. There are concerns that the legislation could allow the ruling parties