JOURNALISTS and other employees formed a human chain around the Czech public radio in Prague today as part of a warning strike against a plan by the government to overhaul funding for public broadcasters.

The move by the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babis has triggered protests that warned of a threat to media independence.

According to a plan approved by the government last week, public radio and television would be financed from the state budget starting next year, instead of fees paid by individuals, households and businesses.

Critics say the change would give the three-party coalition government power to influence the media, citing the examples of governments in Slovakia under Prime Minister Robert Fico, and in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The media would end up with about 15 per cent less money this year, according to the plan. The directors of public radio and television said it would lead to layoffs of hundreds of staffers, limited production and cancellation of programmes.

Staffers at the radio station formed a line to symbolically protect its headquarters. Some of the programmes were delayed by a minute while online and social media services were limited during the 24-hour protest.

Organisers said they were preparing other steps but did not elaborate.