Czech public media in danger, tens of thousands took to the streets in Prague

Thousands protested in Prague against the government's plan to change the funding system for public broadcasting. Currently funded by mandatory subscription fees, the government proposes to finance it through the state budget, reducing the budget by about 15%. This has raised concerns about potential government influence over media independence. The protest, titled "Hands Off the Media," was organized by a civic group and broadcast live. The European Federation of Journalists warned that the reform could severely threaten the independence of Czech public media, with its director stating it is a method to control public broadcasting.