Thousands Protesting In Czech Republic Against Government Plan To Overhaul Funding Of Public Broadcasters

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) According to Ukrinform, this is reported by the AP.

The protesters gathered in front of the Czech public television offices in Prague to voice their support for the media a day before their staffers plan to go on a warning strike and after recent protest marches in the regional capitals and Prague.

According to a plan approved by the government on Monday, public radio and television would be funded from the state budget starting next year, instead of through fees paid by individuals, households, and businesses.

Critics argue that the changes would allow the three-party coalition government to gain control over the media, following the example of populist governments in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and in Slovakia under Prime Minister Robert Fico.

“The media don't belong to politicians,” Mikuláš Minář, a main organizer from the Million Moments for Democracy group said.

Babiš, members of his government, and loyal lawmakers have repeatedly attacked public and other major media outlets, the report notes.

The government proposal, which has been criticized by international media organizations, would provide public broadcasters with about 15% less funding than they receive this year. It also contains no guarantees of funding in the future.

The directors of public radio and television have warned that the cuts would force them to lay off hundreds of employees. Babiš has argued that the media must reduce spending. The coalition's agenda also includes scaling back support for Ukraine and rejecting some key European Union policies.

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As reported by Ukrinform, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar recently announced that his government would soon submit legislation to parliament aimed at a“complete transformation” of the country's public broadcasting system. According to Magyar, the reform is intended to ensure“balanced and impartial” news coverage.

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