Czech Television and Radio strike as thousands rally in Prague

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 4 November 2026 |  JP Global Monitoring

Czech public television and radio staff held a one-day strike on November 3 against a proposed funding overhaul, while thousands rallied in Prague. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the protests would not change the coalition's plan.

Summary

PRAGUE — Staff at Czech Television and Czech Radio held a one-day strike on November 3 against a proposed overhaul of public broadcasting finance, as thousands of media workers and supporters rallied in the capital.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the following day that the strike and demonstrations would not change his coalition’s plan to abolish license fees and fund the broadcasters from the state budget, Around Prague reported. He acknowledged the right to demonstrate and denied that media independence was threatened.

A day of reduced broadcasting

The strike began at midnight and disrupted regular schedules at both public broadcasters. On television news channel ČT24, short bulletins without reports alternated with archive programs, while the usual morning and evening news shows were dropped, Around Prague reported, citing Seznam Zprávy.

Czech Radio stations largely replaced regular programs with music or repeats. Czech Television news chief Michal Kubal described the action as unprecedented in the history of Czech public media, according to Around Prague.

Funding and independence in dispute

Reuters reported that media workers and supporters marched from Czech Television’s Prague headquarters to Wenceslas Square, where thousands gathered. It also reported protests in other cities involving students and artists; Around Prague said demonstrations took place in Brno, Ostrava and other locations as well.

Around Prague reported on November 4 that 1,376 Czech Radio employees and freelancers and 2,257 Czech Television employees and contributors had taken part in the strike. Those figures were reported participation totals, separate from the estimate of the crowd in Prague.

The bill would replace the existing license-fee system with state-budget financing. Reuters reported that the coalition wants to cancel a combined household broadcasting fee of 205 Czech crowns a month and that the proposal includes a 15% financing cut. The broadcasters regard the proposed cut as unbearable, Reuters said.

Czech Television reporter and strike committee member Jan Moláček warned that, if passed, the proposal would give the coalition tools to influence content. Babiš rejected suggestions that the coalition wanted to take over public media, saying on November 2 that the government was fulfilling a promise to reduce the financial burden on the public. He also said the bill could change during further debate, Reuters reported.

Parliamentary debate ahead

The bill advanced to a second reading in the Chamber of Deputies at 4:36 a.m. on October 24, according to Around Prague. Banners on broadcaster buildings referred to that time. Reuters described a bill introduced unexpectedly, restricted debate and a preliminary vote before dawn.

Babiš had previously floated a different funding approach. Broadband TV News reported on November 2 that the Finance Ministry was examining a model combining voluntary payments with guaranteed funding for the broadcasters; the source and size of the guarantee were unspecified.

That alternative was not the same as the bill providing for state-budget financing. A second parliamentary reading was expected in January 2027, according to Broadband TV News. Babiš’s November 4 comments reaffirmed the coalition’s plan, but the funding change has not been established as law.

ATTRIBUTION: Prepared by JournalismPakistan staff, based on Around Prague reports of November 3 and 4, 2026; Reuters via AOL on November 3; and Broadband TV News on November 2.

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.