Poland to set up a National Media Council

On June 23, Poland’s lower house of parliament approved the setting up of a National Media Council, which would appoint the management and supervisory boards of state-owned broadcaster TVP, Polish Radio and the PAP news agency. The bill will be discussed by the Senate on Thursday. 227 MPs supported the motion filed by Law and Justice (PiS), while 207 were against it and 1 abstained from the vote. “The government will be completely cut off from any influence in terms of organisational and personnel issues concerning public media," said Deputy Culture Minister Krzysztof Czabański. Additionally, the bill will replace the radio and television licence with an obligatory audiovisual fee of PLN 15 per month to be paid with electricity bills. Seniors above 75, handicapped people and veterans will be exempt from the new levy.