Poland: RSF’s recommendations on public media reform are partially taken into account — but the government must do more
While the Polish Ministry of Culture accepted some of the recommendations made by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), its guarantees for the public media’s editorial independence are not strong enough to comply with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The government could seize this opportunity to lead Europe in press freedom issues — if it shows more ambition.
On 6 November, the Polish Ministry of Culture published a report on a public consultation on the public media reform that includes some of RSF's recommendations. In particular, the Ministry plans to partially depoliticise the appointment process for public media leaders. The report also agrees that this should be achieved by slightly weakening the role of Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) — which is under the influence of politicians — in the selection of public media board members and editors-in-chief.
Yet RSF’s proposal to fund public media via a tax on digital platforms was dismissed. Moreover, the report does not go far enough in strengthening the role of representatives of civil society organisations and media experts in determining the broadcasters’ management and budget. While these organisations and experts contribute to decisions concerning the financial and operational management of public broadcasters, the KRRiT plays a much more dominant role in these matters. The public media’s editorial and financial independence would therefore be insufficiently protected from political pressure, as required by Article 5 of the EMFA, which must be applied from August 2025.
The Ministry of Culture will likely propose the draft bill based on the report — which will create a new opportunity for public consultation — by the end of the year, shortly before Poland assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from January to July 2025.
"Although EU member states are starting to implement the EMFA, the law’s letter and spirit are contested by the governments of several countries, including Hungary and Slovakia. In the face of this backlash, Poland could become a European leader in press freedom, which would also enhance its credibility abroad — especially ahead of the upcoming Polish EU presidency. We call on Poland to be more ambitious in its application of this European legislation and guarantees for the public media’s independence.
RSF submitted its recommendations on reforming Poland’s public media on 23 September during the public consultation, following meetings with the leadership of Poland’s public broadcaster, Telewizja Polska (TVP), and with the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture, Marta Cienkowska. RSF urged the Polish government to:
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guarantee independent leadership in public media by ensuring that civil society and journalistic organisations are involved in the election of public media boards and editors-in-chief, thereby reducing political influence;
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secure sustainable, independent funding for public media through mechanisms such as a tax on digital platforms and the establishment of an independent body — separate from political control — to assess long-term financial needs;
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strengthen editorial independence by encouraging public broadcasters to adopt international standards like the Journalism Trust Initiative and the Paris Charter on Artificial Intelligence and Journalism, to ensure impartial, pluralistic reporting.
Poland was ranked 47th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index. It moved up ten places since 2023, reflecting the hope sparked by the departure of the Law and Justice party’s government, which was hostile to press freedom.
Aller plus loin
