Radio and TV Act threatens survival of four radio stations

The media watchdog National Radio and Television Council (KRRiTV) has been urging the Telecommunications Ministry to extend licenses for four radio stations to no avail. The four radio stations are RMF FM, Radio Zet, Radio Maryja and Radio Plus, which could go off the air by July of next year if the Ministry continues to dither on the issue. Despite receiving appropriate documentation from KRRiTV and promising to respond quickly, the Ministry is reluctant to allow the radio stations to continue broadcasting on the current frequencies, since the Radio and Television Act does not contain a provision for extending the licenses of the broadcasters. Instead the Act requires that a new tender be called. The Ministry can only accept the demands of the KRRiTV if amendments to the existing Act are made by Parliament. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 16).