Thousands of people have gathered in central Prague to protest against the Czech government’s plans to scrap the licence fee and use the state budget to fund public media.
Critics say the plans would allow politicians to stifle media freedom.
The coalition government – which consists of the populist ANO party and two right-wing Eurosceptic parties – insists the change will not affect editorial independence, but wants broadcasters to cut costs.
Parliament passed the first draft of the proposal late last month. Since then, thousands of Czechs have taken part in protests.
Czech households currently pay 205 crowns ($9.44; £7.06) a month for TV and radio.
Sunday’s protest was organised by the Million Moments for Democracy association which said “roughly 400,000” people had attended.
It is being described as the largest protest since the Czech Republic’s independence in 1993.
“I know that our entire Czech Television is a guarantee of truth and objectivity,” pensioner Milana Rudolfova, 72, told Reuters news agency.
“If we do not have public television and radio then unfortunately we will not be able to believe anything anymore.”
