The reforms come after years of political influence over public broadcasting, which critics say was used by the right-wing populist Law and Justice Party (PiS) to promote its agenda.
Following the party’s loss of power, the current government has prioritized depoliticizing public media and restoring public trust.
Poland abolishes TV and radio license fee and reshapes public media oversight
Under the proposal, the current TV and radio license fee would be abolished and replaced by a state budget allocation of 2.5 billion złoty ($550 million), adjusted for inflation.
The National Media Council, which currently oversees public media, would be dissolved, with its responsibilities transferred to the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT).
Ending political control over Polish public media
The law sets strict criteria for appointments to public media management and supervisory boards.
Candidates would need to demonstrate professional expertise in media or culture and remain apolitical, defined as having no party affiliation for at least five years and no participation in elections for ten years.
Appointments would be subject to public hearings involving NGOs, trade unions, and employers’ organizations.
Depoliticising media management and appointments
Public media companies would be led by single-person management boards appointed for five-year terms, while the KRRiT would consist of nine members serving six-year terms, with partial rotation every two years.
Members would be nominated by parliament and the president, with additional input from industry organizations.
Minister Cienkowska said the reforms aim to ensure transparent, professional, and politically independent public media, with the planned restructuring taking full effect once the law is enacted.
Marta Cienkowska (photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak)
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Source: Radio Poland/PAP/MKiDN