Thousands rally in Prague and other cities in support of public-service media

Thousands of people gathered in Prague’s Wenceslas Square on Tuesday to demonstrate in support of the independence of Czech Television and Czech Radio. Those attending included university students and employees of both public-service broadcasters, who are on strike over the government’s plans to change their funding system. Demonstrations were also held in Brno, Ostrava, Olomouc and other cities.

The government wants to abolish licence fees paid by households and businesses and fund the broadcasters from the state budget instead. The proposal would give public-service media significantly less money than they currently receive, which the broadcasters say would threaten their financial and institutional independence, long-term stability and ability to fulfil their statutory obligations.