A senatorial statement from Senator Stanisław Karczewski was sent to Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the government led by Donald Tusk. The document raises several questions about the minister’s actions toward Poland’s public media and the leadership of those institutions. The senator notes that, for more than a week, Poles have been unable to watch news services on the public broadcasters, despite the provisions of the National Media Council law and ongoing attempts to appoint new board members.
Tusk’s team and the public media agenda
The Sejm previously adopted a resolution aimed at restoring the rule of law and ensuring impartial, reliable coverage in the public media and the Polish Press Agency. It also called on the Ministry of Finance to undertake corrective measures. Shortly afterward, the Ministry of Culture announced that Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, acting as the ministry’s representative with authority over property and under the Commercial Code, was reportedly dismissed in December. The statement claimed that new chairpersons and supervisory boards were appointed at Telewizja Polska SA, Polish Radio SA, and the Polish Press Agency SA, and that the ministry had appointed new boards for these companies.
President Andrzej Duda vetoed the 2024 budget law, explaining that he could not support allocating 3 billion PLN to funds described as supporting unlawfully seized public media. In response, Sienkiewicz announced that, due to the president’s decision to halt funding, the ministry might consider restructuring or liquidating major public outlets. The ministry issued a statement indicating that the owner could retract the liquidation at any time and that seventeen regional radio stations could also be affected.
A number of questions for the Minister of Culture
Senator Karczewski announced on social media that the senatorial statement had been sent to the Minister of Culture, containing a series of questions about the current state of public media.
He pointed out that, for more than a week, following the unclear attempt to appoint new management at the institutions mentioned above, Poles had not been able to view news services in the public media, and he urged a prompt response.
1. When exactly did notarial activities related to the Extraordinary General Meetings of PAP, TVP, and Polish Radio take place, where, and in whose presence? Was the minister involved? 2. When and where were the Extraordinary General Meetings of PAP, TVP, and Polish Radio held, and did the minister participate? 3. When and where did the last meetings of the supervisory boards of PAP, TVP, and Polish Radio occur, and who attended?
— the senator asked.
Actions that touch on democratic principles
The request also seeks copies of the minutes to accompany the minister’s response. Given media coverage, including photos and footage, the senator asked for information about who ordered and financed the security company involved with PAP and TVP actions in recent days.
Stanisław Karczewski urged Sienkiewicz to clarify the current situation in the public media without delay.
As a member of the PiS party and a senator, he emphasized that Poles should not face limits on their choice of information channels and that the methods used to shape public perception should not suppress access to diverse viewpoints. He stated that such measures would contravene Poland’s constitutional principles and run counter to democratic ideals.
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