Thousands of protesters gathered in Prague on Sunday to oppose a government plan to change the funding mechanism for Czech public broadcasters, raising concerns about the independence of the media. The demonstration took place outside the offices of Czech public television, ahead of a planned warning strike by broadcaster staff scheduled for Monday.

The government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his three-party coalition, recently approved a measure to shift public radio and television funding from fees paid by individuals, households, and businesses to direct state budget financing starting next year. Critics argue this move could undermine the autonomy of public media, giving the government increased control akin to what has been seen in Slovakia under Prime Minister Robert Fico and in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Mikuláš Minář, a key organizer from the Million Moments for Democracy group, emphasized that “the media don’t belong to politicians” but to the public, warning against any attempt to seize control. Protest marches have also been held recently in regional capitals, signaling widespread unease about the government’s plans.

Public media directors have expressed concern that the new funding framework would reduce their budgets by approximately 15% compared to the current year. They indicated that this shortfall could force significant layoffs, affecting hundreds of employees. Prime Minister Babiš defended the plan by saying the media must implement cost-saving measures.

The government’s proposal has been criticized by international media organizations for lacking financial guarantees and thus threatening the long-term viability of public broadcasters. The debate over media funding in the Czech Republic unfolds amid a broader political context in which Babiš’s coalition is seeking to shift national policy away from supporting Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia and to oppose certain European Union policies.