Petr Matějček

Czech activist Jan Cemper wants “real democracy” — and he wants it now. The main objective of his group, which draws its inspiration from foreign protest movements such as the Indignados and Occupy Wall Street, is to organize tent protests in the capital and other cities starting from April 28.  Under the name Occupy Prague they intend to build a tent village to serve as a venue for debate over alternatives to the current political-economic system.

Protest happenings, demonstrations, seminars, interviews with journalists, TV appearances, debates with politicians – the Czech Pirate Party (ČPS) is experiencing an unprecedented boom. The commotion around the controversial international anti-piracy agreement ACTA has ensured the Pirates a place in the limelight. They say politics make for strange bedfellows; which parties are open to cooperating with the ČPS?

The signing of the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA) by 22 EU member states, including the Czech Republic, has met stiff public opposition across Europe. The group Anonymous has led cyber attacks on the websites of governments, institutions and corporations, while ordinary Internet users are signing petitions. Thousands may join in a protest march organized by the Czech Pirate Party this Thursday; where do Czech Euro MPs stand?

In early 2012, Google TV will be launched in Europe enabling users to watch various terrestrial channels, buy and download films and other programs, and visit social network sites via the portal. Some experts predict the service will mark a new era in television, but the head of internet at CET 21, the owner of the most-watched private Czech broadcaster, Nova, rules out cooperation.