Thousands rally in Czech Republic against changes in state media funding | Press freedom news

Critics say the proposed funding changes will give the government more control over state media.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Czech capital to protest against proposed changes to the funding of public service media, which critics say could weaken the independence of broadcasters.

Many demonstrators gathered on Sunday afternoon at Letna Park in Prague.

Some of the demonstrators wore pointed hats folded into the shape of a newspaper in homage to an animated character who presented Czech television’s nightly children’s stories for decades.

Local authorities expected large crowds days before the November 17 holiday commemorating the 1989 Velvet Revolution against communist rule, which brought dissident playwright Vaclav Havel to power.

Under proposed changes introduced last month, billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ government wants to replace the current monthly fee of 205 crowns ($9.45), charged to every household, with funding from the state budget.

Opponents say the change will stifle media freedom because it will make the media more dependent on the state. The government insists that the project will not affect editorial independence or program content.

The bill has passed a preliminary vote in Parliament and awaits further debate.

Broadcast workers have been on strike against the proposal since June, and earlier this month state media employees staged a one-day strike, leading to a boycott of state media by artists and students.

The group Million Moments for Democracy organized Sunday’s protest and said that “Babis and his government obviously think they will get away with it…that they can ignore the experts, silence the critics and treat democratic institutions as their property.”

The group said the protest could be “the largest public gathering in Czech history”, as organizers expect there to be between 400,000 and 600,000 demonstrators.

Although trust in media is low – around 30 to 33 percent according to the Reuters Institute’s latest digital news report – public service journalism is one of the most trusted sources of news in the country, with Czech TV being the most-watched channel across several age groups.

The media reform plan has attracted international attention: the European Broadcasting Union, the European Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and the International Press Institute have all criticized it.