In the capital of the Czech Republic, tens of thousands of people went to a rally against the government's plans to transfer funding for public radio and television from the subscription fee system to the state budget. According to organizers, between 200 and 250 thousand people participated in the demonstration. Many came in paper hats, reminiscent of the outfit of the hero of the children's TV show Večerníček, which for decades appeared on Czech television. Critics of the reform fear that the government, led by Andrey Babis, will be able to tighten its grip on the public media. According to them, funding directly from the budget will weaken the broadcasting networks' communication with citizens and make them more vulnerable to political pressure. The demonstrators carried banners with the slogans "Hands off the media" and "Freedom is not given by itself". The bill provides for the abolition of the monthly payment of 205 kroner (about 8.5 euros) to the household, as well as a 15% decrease in funding for public broadcasting. The authorities claim that in this way they will fulfill the promise to reduce the financial burden on the citizens. Media representatives believe that such cuts will harm the normal operation of radio and television. @wglavnoe.

In the capital of the Czech Republic, tens of thousands of people went to a rally against the government's plans to transfer funding for public radio and television from the subscription fee system to the state budget. According to organizers, between 200 and 250 thousand people participated in the demonstration. Many came in paper hats, reminiscent of the outfit of the hero of the children's TV show Večerníček, which for decades appeared on Czech television. Critics of the reform fear that the government, led by Andrey Babis, will be able to tighten its grip on the public media. According to them, funding directly from the budget will weaken the broadcasting networks' communication with citizens and make them more vulnerable to political pressure. The demonstrators carried banners with the slogans "Hands off the media" and "Freedom is not given by itself". The bill provides for the abolition of the monthly payment of 205 kroner (about 8.5 euros) to the household, as well as a 15% decrease in funding for public broadcasting. The authorities claim that in this way they will fulfill the promise to reduce the financial burden on the citizens. Media representatives believe that such cuts will harm the normal operation of radio and television. @wglavnoe.