Poland's Senate dominated by the conservatives from the Law and Justice party of Jaroslav Kaczynski has hastily voted controversial media legislation despite protests of international organizations. Yesterday Polish President Andrzej Duda signed into a law the bill on public service media. This has taken place despite criticism of the new legislation from the opposition and concerns voiced by senior European Union officials, media and non-governmental organizations claiming these amendments would put public media under control from the conservative government.

 
Under voted legislation texts the appointment and dismissal of public media CEOs will now be in the hands of the Minister of State Treasury unlike the previous arrangement when this happened following a job contest organized by the National Broadcasting Council.  
 
The European Commission has officially asked Poland's government to provide information about the bill.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio Channel One (Horizont), Kamil Dabrowa, director and editor-in-chief of Jedynka Channel of the Polish Radio, termed the law a destructive act and the situation - outrageous, and pointed out he had not been surprised by the legislation's signing:

“I expected this to happen, because the Law and Justice party of Jaroslav Kaczynski pays a great deal of attention to media. Kaczynski demonstrates a certain tendency to offend various social groups. This has already happened to medical doctors and nurses, and now it is the turn of journalists. Their professionalism and objectivity have been questioned as well as the way they report about events and developments”.

“I do not agree with criticism over the lack of pluralism”, the radio journalist added:

“All polls suggest that during the two most recent election campaigns - for president and parliament, the Polish radio and television worked with the maximum of objectivity and showed all possible points of view.”

In connection with the amendment to the law allowing a cabinet minister to appoint the managements of the two public service media, Kamil Dabrowa said this was an unprecedented case of interference and suppression of the freedom of speech.

“This is unprecedented. Across the European Union, there is no country - except for Hungary, to have so strongly politicized media which are so strongly dependent on the government.”

Kamil Dabrowa explained that starting from today political appointments in public media management had become possible:

“The situation is outrageous. This has not happened even under communism. Now in practice the management of a public media outlet will be directly controlled by the Minister of State Treasury.”

From January we have been broadcasting the national anthem as a symbolic action of protest, Kamil Dabrowa recalled:

“The Managing Board backs this action. Our thousands of listeners support us - with text messages and emails. Polish people are aware that when the national anthem is broadcast something important is happening. By playing the Ode to Joy we want to alert Europe about the changes.”

“I do not expect any changes despite the forthcoming European debate on this topic”, Kamil Dabrowa however said. On Saturday citizens will take the streets because the protest has been gaining momentum. He explained that the act was an infringement not only upon freedom of speech, but upon democracy itself too:

“All journalists are aware of how serious the situation is. At first, there was some division, but following our general assembly at the beginning of January we voted the measures we have to take. People are aware that times are hard and that maybe as soon as Monday dismissals might begin, but knowing the importance of the moment, they unite.”

“I do not think that our steps will be interpreted in the wrong way. We have the support of the European Broadcasting Union, Reporters Without Borders, and the International Federation of Journalists. Besides, we have the support of many public service media - Austrian, French, German, Bulgarian... They all identify with us, because freedom of speech and pluralism are vital for democracy.”

English version Daniela Konstantinova