Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Prague on Sunday against plans by Czech billionaire Andrej Babis’ government to reform the financing of public broadcasters, which many say would undermine media independence and democracy. The group Million Moments for Democracy demanded that the government withdraw its plan and expressed concern that Babis and his coalition partners pose a threat to democracy, the AP reports. The protest took place at the capital’s Letna Park, where huge crowds gathered during the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which ended more than 40 years of communist rule in the country. Sunday’s protest took place two days before the anniversary of the 1989 protests.
“We are witnessing something extraordinary here today,” said Mikulas Minar, the lead organizer. “This is just the beginning.” Under the plan, public radio and television channels would be financed from the state budget, replacing the existing system of regular license fees paid by individuals, households and businesses. Broadcasters would receive about 15% less money than today, which could lead to layoffs, limited production and program cancellations. Opponents say the overhaul would empower the three-party coalition to take control of the media, similar to what governments did in Slovakia under Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. One protester, singer Sarka Dumisincova, said that for her “the media represents freedom. And the fact that someone here is trying to control this freedom is unacceptable to me. That’s why I’m here today.”
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