Czechia: Scores protest against public media reform
Between 350,000 and 450,000 people gathered in Prague to protest a government plan to abolish broadcasting fees and cut public media budgets by 15 percent.
Crowds overwhelmed Prague's public transport as protesters traveled from across the country to oppose the proposed reform.
The plan would end the current system of broadcasting fees and shift financing to the state budget, which organizers argue would bring public broadcasters under the control of the right-wing government.
The government insists the changes will not affect editorial independence and are necessary to cut costs.
Government denies takeover attempt
Prime Minister Andrej Babis rejected the protesters' criticism, stating that the government has no interest in controlling or nationalizing public media.
"None of what the people are protesting against… is true," Babis said.
Foreign Minister Petr Macinka accused protest organizers of turning demonstrations into a business model.
International criticism
International groups have condemned the plan, including the European Broadcasting Union, the European Federation of Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders.
The reform has already led to a one-day strike by Czech TV and radio, and polls show the ANO party still enjoys about 30 percent of support.
Despite the protests, the current coalition, made up of Babis's ANO party, the far-right SPD, and the Eurosceptic Motorists, remains in power.
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