Mass protest in Czechia: hundreds of thousands demonstrate against the government

Approximately 400,000 people demonstrated today in Prague against the Babiš government, protesting a plan to change the funding of public broadcasting and fears of harm to media independence. This is one of the largest protests since the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

Approximately 400,000 people demonstrated today in Prague, the capital of Czechia, in a massive protest against the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. According to organizers' estimates, between 350,000 and 450,000 people attended the rally at Letná Plain in the city center. This is one of the largest protests in the country since the Velvet Revolution in 1989. The focus of the protest is the Babiš government's plan to abolish the public broadcasting fee and transfer the funding of public television and radio to the state budget. Opponents of the move warn that changing the funding method would allow the government to exert political pressure on media outlets and harm their independence. Concerns have grown following reports of a possible cut of about 15% in the public broadcasting budget. The protesters also demand the removal of Tomio Okamura from his leadership role in parliament and the replacement of the defense minister. The protest organizers announced additional protest actions across the country on December 2.