Thousands of Czechs Rally Against 15% Public Media Funding Cut in Prague
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 21
Thousands of Czechs Rally Against 15% Public Media Funding Cut in Prague
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 21
Summary
Thousands gathered outside Czech public television offices in Prague on Sunday to back public broadcasters and oppose a funding overhaul before staff begin a warning strike on Monday.
The plan approved last week would shift radio and TV funding from license fees to the state budget next year, a move critics say would let Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's government tighten political control.
Public broadcaster chiefs say the proposal would leave them with about 15% less money than this year and force hundreds of layoffs, while offering no future funding guarantees.
Protest organizers and international media groups cast the overhaul as part of a broader democratic backsliding seen in Slovakia and Hungary, as Babiš's coalition also pushes a more anti-EU, less pro-Ukraine line.