People take part in a demonstration in support of public broadcasters in Prague. (EPA Images pic)PRAGUE: Several thousand people gathered in Prague on Sunday to protest against plans to change the funding system for public television and radio, accusing the government of stifling press freedom.
The Czech lower house of parliament voted on Saturday to fast-track a bill that would abolish licence fees for public media and replace them with direct allocations from the state budget.
The legislation, backed by the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis and including two far-right parties, must still be passed by the upper house before becoming law.
The plans have drawn criticism from the opposition, which has pledged to challenge them in the constitutional court.
