PRAGUE (AP) — Thousands of Czech high school and university students took to the streets of Prague Wednesday, demonstrating against proposed government changes to public broadcasting funding structures.
Demonstrators shouted “We won’t let you take the media” as they marched through the capital city. Additional demonstrations took place in other locations throughout the Czech Republic.
The proposed legislation, developed by the coalition government under populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, would eliminate the current fee system paid by individuals, households and companies to support public broadcasting services.
Under the proposed structure, public broadcasting would become entirely reliant on government budget allocations. Opposition voices argue this arrangement would undermine editorial independence.
The proposed changes would substantially cut current funding levels for public media outlets. The legislation requires both government and Parliamentary approval before implementation.
Union representatives for media workers announced their readiness to strike should lawmakers move forward with the proposed changes, which could become law as early as next year.
The Vienna-based International Press Institute expressed concern that the proposed changes aim to “weaken the broadcasters’ financial and editorial independence and compromise their ability to fulfill their public service remit.”
