Thousands of Czechs rally against a government plan to overhaul the funding of public broadcasters

PRAGUE (AP) — Thousands of Czechs marched in the capital Sunday to denounce a plan by the government led by the populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš Overhaul funding for public broadcasters deemed dangerous to their independence.

Protesters gathered outside the offices of Czech public television in Prague to voice their support for the media, a day before employees planned a warning strike and following recent protest marches in regional capitals and the media. Prague.

Under the plan approved by the government on Monday, public radio and television will be financed from the state budget from next year, rather than from fees paid by individuals, households and businesses.

Critics say the change would provide a tool for the three-party coalition government to seize control of the media, following the example of populist governments. Slovakia under the Prime Ministry Robert Fico And Hungary during the time of the former Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

“The media does not belong to politicians,” said Mikuláš Minář, one of the main organizers of the Million Moments for Democracy group. “They belong to all of us and we will not let them be stolen from us.”

There are attacks on the public and other mainstream media by Babiš, members of the government and loyal MPs.

The government plan, criticized by international media organizations, will give the media approximately 15% less money than this year. It does not include a guarantee of future financing.

Executives at public radio and television said this would require laying off hundreds of employees. Babiš said the media should save money.

Babiš’s coalition’s agenda includes moving the country away from supporting Ukraine and rejecting some key EU policies.