Students of Charles University, working with other universities in Czechia, are planning a protest in support of public-service media for Tuesday 10 November 2026. The students are to give details on Wednesday 4 November, said Rafael Daniel Berti, vice-chair of the Academic Senate of Charles University [1][2].
Rector Jiří Zima will grant a half-day rector's leave from classes for 10 November. The university leadership has also recommended that faculties and teachers be accommodating towards students who take part in events in support of Czech Television and Czech Radio on 3 November [1][2].
Positions of universities
The presidium of the Česká konference rektorů asked the heads of universities and faculties and their teachers to be accommodating towards students who join civic events on 3 and 10 November. It recommended offering them a make-up date or another way of meeting their obligations, or declaring a dean's or rector's day off [1][2].
According to spokesperson Michal Janovský, the University of Chemistry and Technology will not declare a day off, because students said they do not want to neglect their studies and are preparing events that will not significantly affect teaching. According to its spokeswoman, the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague fully supports the students' activities on 3 and 10 November but will not declare a rector's day off, because it does not want to organise civic activities from above or repeatedly disrupt teaching [1][2].
Background
Employees of Czech Television and Czech Radio called a full-day strike for 3 November against the government's plan to abolish television and radio licence fees and shift funding to the state. Deputies of the governing coalition sent the bill to second reading in the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic on 24 October. The opposition calls it an attack on the independence of public-service media [1][2].
Chronology
- — Students of Charles University and other universities are planning a protest on 10 November 2026 in support of Czech Television and Czech Radio; the rector of Charles University, Jiří Zima, will grant a half-day rector's leave from classes for that day, and the students are to give details on 4 November. ČTK / České noviny Pražský deník
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 2 November 2026
- Pražský deník — 2 November 2026