"You've gone too far": Thousands protest in Czech Republic against media reform

Thousands demonstrated in Prague against the Czech government's plan to change public broadcasting funding. Protesters accused Prime Minister Andrej Babiš of attempting to take over the media. The bill was advanced in a fast-track procedure during the night, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition, the president, and journalist organizations.

Thousands of people demonstrated yesterday (Sunday) in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, against the government's plan to change public broadcasting funding. Protesters filled Old Town Square and accused Prime Minister Andrej Babiš of attempting to take over the media. The bill was advanced in a fast-track procedure: during the night between Friday and Saturday, the coalition limited the opposition's speaking time and passed the proposal in its first reading at 4:36 AM. Protesters held signs and repeatedly chanted the voting time. Mikuláš Minář, one of the protest organizers, said: "You've gone too far, we won't let you destroy the country." The reform abolishes the broadcasting fee and transfers funding directly to the state budget, a step that could lead to a cut of about 15% in the budgets of public bodies. Babiš rejects the claims and argues that the goal is to reduce the economic burden on citizens. Czech President Petr Pavel and international journalist organizations have criticized the move. Public broadcasting employees announced a strike on November 3, and another large protest is planned for November 15.