Andrzej Duda greenlighted the measure after Poland’s parliament last month voted to provide public media organisations with PLN 1.95 billion (EUR 450 million, USD 510 million) worth of Treasury bonds in compensation for funds they have failed to collect from licence fees for reasons such as exemptions.
The president’s signature came after appeals from unionists and an association bringing together Poland’s public media employers and despite calls by the opposition that the money be used for cancer treatment instead.
Poland’s Association of Public Media Employers said in a resolution earlier this week that the cash injection was needed “to maintain the proper functioning of the public media, ensure a high level of programming and quality staff for 19 media outlets."
Public broadcasters Polish Radio, Polish Television (TVP) and 17 regional radio stations signed that appeal, Polish Radio’s IAR news agency has reported.
(gs/pk)
Source: IAR, TVP Info