Czech students protest plan to shift public broadcaster funding to state budget

On Monday, student initiatives including Media nedáme! and Stojíme za kulturou! organized a protest outside the Czech government offices. They warned that a newly approved amendment would move the financing of Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) from the existing licence‑fee system to the state budget, which they argue risks "de‑statization" of the media and increased political pressure.

Around a hundred participants – high‑school pupils, conservatory and university students, and supporters from technical universities – marched from Letná Park to Straka Academy, carrying banners with slogans such as "We depend on independent media" and "Hands off ČT". Police escorted the march and briefly halted traffic. The demonstration also featured a brief happening where alarm clocks were sounded to symbolise a call for the government to "wake up". Some of the demonstrators joined a two‑week march from Olomouc to Prague, stressing that the funding issue also threatens cultural programming, documentary production and regional broadcasting.

The protesters urged the government to keep the current fee system, describing it as transparent, predictable and a safeguard against political influence over public service media.