Freedom of the press in Europe: Protests in the Czech Republic for free broadcasting

At the weekend, thousands took to the streets in the Czech Republic to demand the independence of the public broadcaster (ÖRR). Some wanted to violently storm the parliament building. The reason: On Saturday night, the government majority in the House of Representatives approved a draft law according to which television (ČT) and radio (ČRo) should in future be financed from the state budget.

The right-wing coalition put the issue on the agenda at short notice and, after a debate that lasted late into the night, voted it through at 4:36 a.m., despite resistance from the opposition. Two more readings are pending. Critics see the rush as an attempt to take the opposition and civil society by surprise.

The coalition made up of the right-wing populist ANO, the right-wing extremist SPD and the Eurosceptic Motorists' Party announced the abolition of broadcasting fees - currently 205 crowns, around 8 euros, per month. Now everything should happen very quickly. The draft is now going to the Media and Culture Committee and is expected to be finally decided in a few weeks. The law also provides for cuts of around 15 percent. Critics fear that the ÖRR could become the government's mouthpiece, similar to what happened in Hungary under Viktor Orbán, who has now been voted out.

Already on Friday evening, several hundred people spontaneously gathered in front of the House of Commons in Prague, some of whom waited until the vote in the morning. On Saturday there were further protests in Brno, Liberec, České Budějovice and Hradec Králové. A large demonstration in Prague's Old Town Square was announced for Sunday afternoon, as well as smaller actions in other cities. The initiative called “One Million Moments for Democracy”, which had already organized protests in June.

“It's about whether we will continue to have media in the future that can provide information freely, control power and provide reliable information to everyone without distinction,” said the protest call. Spokeswoman Marija Wazi said: "Today we pay, so the media doesn't have to fear us. Tomorrow the government will pay. And whoever pays will decide." The employees of ČT and ČRo also want to go on strike all day on November 3rd.

The government wants to stick to its plans; abolition was an election promise from the ANO. Government and ANO leader Andrej Babiš wrote on social media on Saturday: “The abolition of fees does not mean the end of ČT and ČRo nor a threat to democracy.” The funds would be legally guaranteed as a mandatory expenditure and linked to inflation. He accused the opposition of lying. It should no longer “cause fear, stir up hatred and divide society.”

Criticism comes from the EBU, the umbrella organization of European public broadcasters, and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ). It is questionable whether there is enough time for appropriate parliamentary scrutiny. The cuts threatened the broadcasters' ability to fulfill their mission.