Czechs Rally Against Threatened Media Independence

Thousands gathered in Prague's Old Town Square to protest government plans to shift funding of state broadcasters from user fees to the state budget, which critics warn could compromise media independence. Protesters expressed concern over potential political control reminiscent of actions in neighboring countries.

In a significant public demonstration, thousands of Czechs flooded Prague's Old Town Square on Tuesday, voicing their support for independent public media amidst concerns over proposed government funding changes. The ruling coalition plans to transition from a user-funded licence fee to a state-controlled budget, sparking fears of compromised independence.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis and his party promised to eliminate the licence fee, which saw its first increase in two decades last year. Critics draw parallels to media control efforts in Slovakia and Hungary, both countries seeing increased political influence over state media.

Despite government assurances of preserved media independence, watchdog groups like Reporters Without Borders criticize the plans as destabilizing. The government argues that media governance will remain unchanged with parliament-appointed boards and inflation-adjusted budgets.