More than 350,000 people gathered in Prague on Sunday to protest against government plans to change how Czechia’s public broadcasters are funded, amid concerns over media independence.
According to The Guardian, organisers said the demonstration was among the largest in the country’s history.
Protesters assembled at Letná Plain, a historic site associated with the 1989 Velvet Revolution that ended communist rule.
The government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš wants to scrap mandatory television and radio licence fees and fund public broadcasters directly through the state budget.
Critics argue the move could increase political influence over news coverage and reduce funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by approximately 15 percent.
“We need to keep media independent. The government is taking steps to control them, cut their funding and affect what they broadcast,” protester Jan Snasel told AFP.
The demonstration was organised by Million Moments for Democracy, which demanded that the government withdraw its proposal.
Several international press freedom organisations have also criticised the changes.
However, Babiš rejected claims that his government was threatening media independence.
“Under no circumstances will we interfere in editorial work,” he said.
