A sequence of recent moves in Poland’s media policy drew attention from ruling party circles: a reduced budget for Belsat, the disciplinary dismissal of its former director, and the appointment of a former Interfax executive to TVP World. These steps align with a broader push to shape how foreign media operates in Poland, a trend speakers say is guided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, members of the ruling party asked questions about potential changes to Poland’s foreign media policy, while Deputy Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski defended the ministry’s stance in this matter.
The former head of Belsat, who publicly criticized the government and the Foreign Ministry for limiting the channel’s resources, was dismissed on disciplinary grounds and escorted from the TVP building. Members of parliament from the ruling coalition inquired about the changes to Poland’s foreign media policy in the context of the historically noted dismissal of Agnieszka Romaszewska and a 47 percent budget cut for the station.
There is ongoing discussion about whether Belsat will continue to receive support. Deputy Foreign Minister Bartoszewski said that the Ministry of Diplomacy does not run television stations but funds the creation of new programs. He stressed that Belsat TV remains an important instrument in the struggle for democracy and civil society in Belarus. He attributed the reduced funds to financial reallocations by the regulatory authority, noting that license fee money was moved to a court deposit. He also commented on Romaszewska’s disciplinary dismissal, stating that her case falls outside the ministry’s direct authority.
Romaszewska has not been an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was employed by TVP and, according to media reports, was dismissed for disciplinary reasons. In response to questions about her dismissal, Bartoszewski urged directing inquiries to TVP, as there is no formal legal relationship with the ministry in this matter.
He also indicated that a significant organizational change is being planned for TVP’s foreign-language channels. The plan envisions all foreign-language services being integrated into TVP World, which is scheduled to resume broadcasting in March and to be distributed similarly to how the service is delivered in the United States and the United Kingdom. The lineup would include Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, and English-language programs under a single TVP World banner.
Bartoszewski emphasized that the budgets for these stations are secured and that the changes will not amount to the liquidation of Belsat TV.
Another development concerns changes at TVP World itself. Michał Broniatowski, a former vice president of Interfax, was appointed to lead the station. When queried about this appointment, Bartoszewski highlighted that the ministry does not control corporate nominations—an explicit distinction between government influence and organizational governance.
The ministry’s stance contrasts with that of the governing party, which has stressed the civilian and democratic aims of Poland’s foreign media presence and the need to ensure that broadcasting aligns with national values. Observers note that the ongoing reshaping of TVP World and Belsat reflects a broader strategy to diversify and synchronize Poland’s information outreach across languages and regions.
In sum, the current media policy trajectory marks a clear shift toward consolidating foreign-language broadcasting under a unified brand while reassessing resource allocations and leadership appointments. The government maintains that these steps are necessary to strengthen democratic discourse and to support civil society in neighboring regions, including Belarus and beyond. As the situation unfolds, questions about governance, funding, and the balance between state oversight and editorial independence are likely to persist, with parliamentary committees and public commentators offering varied perspectives on the long-term implications for Poland’s media landscape.