Poland set for new media law

Poland is edging its way towards a new “big” media law, with progress expected later this spring.

Quoting Gazeta Wyborcza and Polskie Radio, Satkurier reports that it will be presented to the parliament (‘Sejm’), as an initiative of a deputy, either at the end of this month or beginning of May.

It adds that the legislation will consist of three parts: a law on national media, a law on universal payments for audiovisual services and a law on regulations implementing these changes. Significantly, all three are at present working proposals and can be subject to change.

The first law, which would see public media, namely TVP, Polskie Radio and the Polish Press Agency (PAP) transformed into ‘national media’ on July 1 this year. While retaining their names, the three bodies would become less commercial and instead focus more on their public service mission.

The law would also result in the establishment of a new, five-member body known as the National Media Council (RMN). Its responsibilities would include the appointment of the heads of the three national media bodies.

Meanwhile, the second law would pave the way for the introduction of a new receive licence fee of between PLN12-15 (€2.8-3.5) a month, payable through electricity bills, on January 1, 2017.