A lower budget for Belsat, the disciplinary dismissal of the director and the appointment of the vice-president of the Russian Interfax agency at TVP World are additional moves in the media policy pursued by the ruling coalition, inspired by actions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, PiS MPs asked questions about changing Poland’s foreign media policy. Deputy Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski defended the decision of the foreign affairs leadership in this matter.
The former head of the Belsat television channel was dismissed on disciplinary grounds after criticizing government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs decisions to limit the channel’s resources. PiS MPs Paweł Jabłoński, Marcin Przydacz, Radosław Fogiel and Barbara Bartuś questioned the policy shift in Poland’s foreign media stance in light of the removal of Agnieszka Romaszewska and a 47 percent budget cut at the station.
READ ALSO: WE DENIAL. The head of Belsat was forcibly removed from TVP. Romaszewska says they hunted her and escorted her out like a dangerous criminal.
Will Belsat disappear?
Addressing the accusations about reduced funding for Belsat and the dismissal of Romaszewska, Deputy Foreign Minister Teofil Bartoszewski stated that the Ministry of Diplomacy does not run television stations but funds the creation of new programs. He affirmed that the Ministry would support Belsat TV, viewing it as a key part of the struggle for democracy and civil society in Belarus. He blamed the lower funds on KRRiTV, which redirected the license fee money to a court deposit, and commented on Romaszewska’s disciplinary dismissal.
Agnieszka Romaszewska was not an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was employed by TVP and, according to media reports, was dismissed for disciplinary reasons. Regarding her dismissal, officials urged that questions be directed to TVP rather than the Ministry, as there has never been a formal or legal relationship between the ministry and her position.
– asserted Bartoszewski. He also indicated that a major organizational change is planned for TVP’s foreign language stations.
It will involve bringing all foreign language channels under TVP World, which is set to resume broadcasting from March 11 this year and be distributed in the same manner as contemporary broadcasters in the United States and the United Kingdom. A Russian language, Belarusian language, Ukrainian language and English language program will operate under the single TVP World banner, Bartoszewski explained.
The budgets for these stations have been secured and will be implemented, he added, stressing that this does not imply the liquidation of Belsat TV.
READ ALSO: Sikorski’s spokesperson attacks Belsat’s former director. Wroński: Romaszewska speaks about money that never existed.
Interfax and TVP World
The question of TVP World changes adds another layer. Michał Broniatowski, the former vice president of the Russian agency Interfax, has taken the helm at the station. When questioned about this appointment, Deputy Minister Bartoszewski underscored that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unlike the Government of Law and Justice, does not control nominations at companies.
– stated the deputy head of Polish diplomacy.
READ ALSO: Neo-TVP World begins broadcasting. Broniatowski: We do not aspire to be a big news agency, we will not pretend to be big.
– SDP protests against the dismissal of Agnieszka Romaszewska from Belsat and argues it runs counter to Polish raison d’être.
Source: wPolityce