Hundreds of thousands expected at Prague media-freedom rally

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to rally in Prague against the Czech government’s plan to replace licence fees for public broadcasters Czech Television and Czech Radio with direct state-budget funding. Critics warn that the proposal, which would cut the broadcasters’ budgets by about 15% or more, could increase political influence over newsrooms and weaken editorial independence; the legislation was fast-tracked through parliament, prompting protests and a strike by media workers. The government says the change would make funding fairer and broadcasters more efficient, and denies it would affect editorial independence. The planned demonstration is part of a wider campaign by journalists, students, opposition groups and press-freedom organizations challenging the reform.