Thousands protested in Prague after government lawmakers gave initial backing to public media funding changes in a rare overnight vote despite criticism the overhaul will damage media independence.
The proposal's first reading was unexpectedly brought to the lower house floor outside the planned order of proceedings on Friday (October 23). Opponents and media advocacy groups have objected to fast-tracking the legislation, which will abolish household fees that currently fund Czech public television and radio stations.
The populist government of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, backed by the far-right SPD party, has frequently clashed with public and private media.
It wants to move funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio to the state budget, which critics say will leave broadcasters vulnerable to political pressure.
Babis says it is a matter of funding transparency and not an attack on independence. The bill is now at the committee stage before a later vote.
Addressing demonstrators in Prague's Old Town Square, protest leader Mikulas Minar criticized the overnight vote and said the demonstration was meant to show that the government had overstepped the mark and exhausted public patience. Organizers said further protests were planned.
(Source: Reuters)
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