Thousands in Prague protest Czech plan to scrap public media fees
What's next: Czech Television and Czech Radio workers plan a strike Monday as critics warn the switch would cut funding by 15%.
Thousands of people marched in Prague on Sunday against the Czech government's plan to abolish license fees that fund public broadcasters and shift financing to the state budget. Organizers and media leaders say the change would weaken the independence of Czech Television and Czech Radio by making them more vulnerable to political pressure. The government approved the overhaul last week, arguing most people do not want to pay the household and business fees. Critics say the move would roll funding back to roughly 2008-2024 levels, amounting to a 15% cut. Czech Television's chief has warned the broadcaster could be forced to lay off about 300 to 500 of its 2,900 staff.