Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Prague today to protest proposed reforms to public media funding, claiming the changes would undermine press freedom in the Czech Republic.
The protest, which drew a diverse crowd of journalists, activists and ordinary citizens, took place in front of the city’s main square. Organisers said the turnout reflected growing concern over the government’s plans to overhaul the funding model for state‑run broadcasters.
Participants alleged that Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his coalition are pushing reforms that could give the government greater control over editorial content. “The reforms threaten the independence of the media,” one protester said, echoing the broader claim that the changes would erode democratic safeguards.
While the government has not yet released detailed proposals, the opposition and civil‑society groups warn that any shift in public media financing could be used to influence coverage and limit critical reporting. The protest marks a significant moment in the Czech Republic’s ongoing debate over media independence and state oversight.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
