The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has urged stronger safeguards for public service media in Poland as Warsaw consults on implementing the European Media Freedom Act.
In its submission to the Polish consultation, the EBU welcomed the “transparent approach” but raised concerns about proposals to fix public media funding at PLN 2.5 billion (€590 million) a year for 10 years, arguing the approach would not keep pace with inflation, rising production costs, or investment needs linked to digital transformation.
The EU’s European Media Freedom Act sets common rules to protect media freedom and pluralism across the bloc, including safeguards for editorial independence, public service media and media market transparency.
“Strong democracies depend on well-funded, independent public service media,” said Jenny Weinand, Head of Media Law at the EBU, calling for long-term funding to be matched with guarantees of independent governance at TVP and Polskie Radio.
The EBU also cautioned that overly prescriptive reporting obligations or mandatory consultation requirements on day-to-day operations could reduce flexibility for broadcasters as audiences shift to on-demand and online formats.
On governance, it backed reforms intended to strengthen the independence of Poland’s regulator, the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), including clearer rules on appointments and dismissals and more transparent recruitment for management roles.
The EBU said it will continue monitoring the process, warning that reforms must deliver concrete protections for editorial independence and sustainable funding in line with the EMFA’s aims to bolster media pluralism and independence across the EU.
