Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Prague on Saturday, November 15, 2026, marking what organizers estimate to be the largest demonstration since the 1989 Velvet Revolution to oppose government plans to alter public media funding.
The demonstration at Letná Park drew between 350,000 and 450,000 people according to estimates from the organizers, Million Moments for Democracy.
Funding Shifting to State Budgets
At the center of the dispute is a government legislative package designed to eliminate monthly license fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio. Households currently pay 205 crowns, equivalent to about €8.50, monthly for public broadcasting services. Under the cabinet’s proposal, these fees would be replaced by direct allocations from the state budget.
The bill also includes a projected 15-percent reduction in overall funding for the broadcasters. Dnevnik.bg said that the government’s plan aims to shrink funding levels back to those seen between 2005 and 2008 and tie the allocation directly to the parliamentary majority.
Pohled z dronu – Letná proti 4:36, za média veřejné služby. pic.twitter.com/yrxARlIm28
Critics argue the changes will strip public broadcasters of their independent financial footing and increase political control over editorial decisions and staffing. Boulevardbulgaria.bg reported that the protest, titled “Letná against 4:36 AM,” references a midnight parliamentary session on October 24 when the ruling majority attempted to fast-track the controversial changes.
Demonstrators Gather in Letná Park to Defend Media Independence
Demonstrators packed the Letná park grounds from all regions of the country carrying banners reading “Don’t let politicians mess with media independence” and “Hands off the media.” Participants also revived paper hats resembling Večerníček, a classic television cartoon character that has become a symbol of defiance during recent rallies.
⚡️A mass protest took place in Prague against the planned changes in funding for Czech Television and Radio, — Novinki. Protesters claim that the plan to cancel license fees and fund broadcasters from the state budget will give ministers more leverage over editorial offices. In… pic.twitter.com/kB1YxpjBPX
The scale of the march severely disrupted transportation in the Czech capital. Subway stations and public transit stops filled to capacity as crowds arrived via special services coordinated to handle the influx from across the country.
“The future of our country depends on people like you,” Mikuláš Minář, a primary organizer of the movement, told the gathering.
Macinka belongs to the Motorists for Themselves party, which holds a role in the governing coalition.
Watchdogs and Professionals Warn Against Government Media Intervention
The legislative effort has drawn sharp warnings from press freedom watchdogs and journalistic organizations.
Opponents have drawn comparisons to similar media reforms implemented in Slovakia under Robert Fico and in Hungary under Viktor Orbán. More than 2,000 students and journalism professionals signed an open letter warning against government intervention in national broadcasting.
| Key Element | Current System | Proposed Government Reform |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Source | Household license fees (205 CZK / €8.50 monthly) | Direct state budget allocations |
| Budget Scale | Current indexed model | Approx. 15% overall funding reduction |
| Oversight Risk | Arm’s-length fee structure | Direct parliamentary majority influence |
The European Commission is monitoring the developments under the European Media Freedom Act, which obligates member states to guarantee the editorial independence of public service media. The bill passed its first reading in the Chamber of Deputies, though it remains short of final enactment following temporary freezes prompted by ongoing strikes and public demonstrations.
