Budget cuts for public television threaten new film productions and jobs

On Wednesday, the board of Telewizja Polska S.A. (TVP S.A.) is to begin work on its 2001 budget after discovering that this year's 10% cuts were insufficient. Its board cites decreases in advertising revenues as the main cause. Telewizyjna Agencja Filmowa, a major producer of feature films in Poland, may not have funds for financing new productions. TVP will also cease financing many ambitious television movies, and as many as 500 TVP employees may lose their jobs. (Gazeta Wyborcza, pp.1,18) A.D.