The citizens decide. Citizens' Parliament launched a debate on the future of journalism and democracy

For months, the team at the Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism at Charles University has been reaching out across the Czech Republic, assembling a diverse group of twenty participants for the country’s first Citizens' Parliament on Media and Democracy. Among them are an active senior from the Ústí region, students from Olomouc and České Budějovice, and a Czech Ukrainian from Liberec—all eager to engage in discussions and develop recommendations for the future of media and democracy in the Czech Republic. The inaugural session, which took place in Prague in March, marked a significant step toward strengthening public participation in media policy and preserving democratic values.

During the first meeting, key priorities were identified:

• Reforming the election process for public broadcasting boards.
   
• Strengthening community media and independent journalism.
   
• Increasing public involvement in media policymaking.
   

Experts, including Vlastimil Nečas from Charles University and journalist David Klimeš, provided insights into media ethics, corporate influence, and the growing disconnect between media content and public needs. The upcoming sessions in Prague, Brno, and Olomouc will expand on these discussions, ultimately shaping concrete recommendations to reinforce democracy and prevent media consolidation in the Czech Republic.

This initiative comes at a crucial moment, as trust in political institutions, media, and journalism continues to decline across Europe. With press freedoms under attack in countries like Hungary and Slovakia, and growing concerns about illiberal influences in the U.S. and other parts of Europe, the Citizens' Parliament serves as an important barometer of the Czech media landscape.

Unlike many EU countries, the Czech Republic has limited experience with deliberative democracy, such as Citizens’ Parliaments or Assemblies. However, these platforms offer strong potential to push back against democratic backsliding and the so-called “Orbánization” of Central and Eastern Europe. The participants are committed to finding solutions to these pressing challenges, paving the way for a more transparent, independent, and democratic media environment.