Overview
- The cabinet approved a plan to replace household and business licence fees with state-budget funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio, a change the government signed off on last week.
- Thousands of people marched in Prague on Sunday to protest the measure and defend independent public media, with banners and rallies staged outside the public television building.
- Public-broadcaster managers say the plan would reduce funding by about 15 percent and could force roughly 300 to 500 layoffs, cuts to programmes and limits on production.
- Journalists and staff staged a warning strike on Monday that included a human chain around the radio building, brief programme delays and limited online services while keeping stations on air.
- Critics warn the switch to budget funding gives the ruling ANO-led coalition a tool to influence coverage, citing recent central European cases where state control over financing preceded greater political sway.