protests in Prague

Prague (dpa) — Thousands of people demonstrated in central Prague on Tuesday against planned cuts to public broadcasting.

The protesters held up banners reading “Hands off the media” and “Independence has its price.”

The rally was called by the A Million Moments for Democracy movement, whose organizers said that more than 175,000 people had signed an online petition against the planned reforms.

The government of right-wing Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, a billionaire, aims to abolish the current public broadcasting licence fees, with broadcasters instead to be funded directly via the budget from 2027.

Opponents see a risk to the broadcasters’ independence and caution against political influence and “nationalization” of public broadcasting.

Under the plans, the country’s public television channel and national radio are to receive the equivalent of around $375 million annually, some 15% less than their income this year from licence fees.

Babiš’ government, which took office in mid-December, comprises his right-wing populist ANO, the ultra-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists for Themselves (AUTO) party.