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Prague Protest Demands Media Independence Over Funding Shift

6/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Protesters marched in Prague on June 21 to protest replacing licence fees with state funding.
Organizers said change threatens media independence in the Czech Republic.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s government argues most citizens oppose licence fees and will fund broadcasters from budget.
The shift would cut funding by 15 % and could force layoffs of 300-500 Czech Television employees, displaying “Hands off public media” banners as the march ended at broadcaster’s building.

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Story summary

Protesters marched in Prague on June 21 to protest replacing licence fees with state funding.
Organizers said change threatens media independence in the Czech Republic.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s government argues most citizens oppose licence fees and will fund broadcasters from budget.
The shift would cut funding by 15 % and could force layoffs of 300-500 Czech Television employees, displaying “Hands off public media” banners as the march ended at broadcaster’s building.