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Hundreds of Thousands Protest Cuts to Public Broadcasting
Newser • • general
Key Points:
- Hundreds of thousands protested in Prague against Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis's plan to change public broadcaster funding, fearing it threatens media independence and democracy.
- The Million Moments for Democracy group called for the government to withdraw the proposal, expressing concerns about Babis and his coalition's impact on democratic freedoms.
- The plan would shift funding from individual fees to the state budget, reducing broadcaster income by about 15%, potentially causing layoffs and program cuts.
- Critics warn the overhaul could enable government control over media, similar to situations in Slovakia and Hungary under previous leaders.
- The protest occurred at Letna Park, a historic site of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, underscoring the symbolic fight for freedom and democracy.
