The debate over the future of public television in Czechia is re-emerging in the political arena. In an interview with Zuzana Tvarůžková for Spotlight, moderator Jakub Železný reflected on whether people today would take to the streets again to defend Czech Television (ČT) as they did in the past. His response was notably skeptical, as he questioned the likelihood of a similar energy among the public today that fueled past mass protests.

Železný recalled previous widespread protests, where people braved the cold to support the newsroom and gathered in Václavské náměstí to assert their demand for a robust public broadcasting service. He highlighted a crucial question: would those same individuals who previously endured the harsh weather to support ČT show the same fervor today? He pointed out a perceptible shift in public sentiment, suggesting that a portion of the audience that previously stood in solidarity with ČT now perceives it as less transparent and not as assertive in its reporting.

Moreover, Železný remarked that there are voices within influential circles, including Prague's intellectual community, suggesting that ČT should adopt a tougher stance against the government led by Petr Fiala and the opposition figure Andrej Babiš. This perceived lack of assertiveness may be weakening the public's willingness to actively support and defend the public broadcaster, according to Železný's observations. His comments resonate particularly in the context of the current government's position on media transparency and public trust in public broadcasting.