In The Czech Republic, Tens Of Thousands Of Protesters Took To The Streets To Demonstrate Against A Plan To Cut Media Funding

• 15.11.2026, 18:02

A massive rally is taking place in Prague.

On Sunday in Prague, tens of thousands of Czechs took to the streets to protest the government’s plan to reduce fees for public media services and redirect the funding to the state budget.

This is reported by Reuters.

Local authorities had previously estimated that hundreds of thousands of people would attend the rally, which is taking place a few days before the November 17 holiday commemorating the “Velvet Revolution” of 1989, which overthrew the communist regime and brought dissident playwright Václav Havel to power, would be attended by hundreds of thousands of people.

According to the publication, on Sunday the area in front of the stage in Letná Park quickly filled up as protesters blocked nearby metro stations. Many wore pointed hats made from rolled-up newspapers in honor of a cartoon character who for decades had appeared in Czech Television’s bedtime stories for children.

As a reminder, the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, supported by the far-right SPD party and the Euroskeptic “Motorists” party, accuses both private and state-run media of bias.

The coalition supports a bill that would eliminate the monthly broadcasting license fee of 205 crowns ($9.26), which is currently used to fund the media. The bill has passed a preliminary vote and is awaiting further debate.

In response, employees of Czech public television and radio staged a one-day strike in early November, which led to limited airtime and protests supported by artists and students.