Draft Law Amending the Broadcasting Act (Sejm Paper No. 158)

The draft may threaten the constitutional freedom of expression that is one of the pillars and constituents of a democratic society. The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen government control over public media and the political message. As a result, the legislation supports the concept of public media as a political tool in policy debates.

The draft introduces changes, which once enacted, would allow the immediate appointment of new authorities in public radio and television enterprises. It allows the Minister of Treasury virtually unlimited changes in the membership of the management and supervisory board of the public radio and television entities. This action eliminates the necessary distance between the authorities and public media, which serves to protect free speech and freedom of information.