Hołownia, who also leads the centrist Poland 2050 party, aims to develop a new public media law in coordination with coalition partners and the head of the National Media Council - one that would secure presidential approval and bring lasting reform to the country’s broadcasting system.
The politician stressed the need for a structural solution to depoliticise institutions such as the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), currently chaired by Maciej Świrski, an appointee backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Media reform bill back in focus under new Polish government
The long-stalled reform, still delayed in interministerial consultations, is now expected to move forward under newly appointed Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska, also from the Poland 2050 party.
While Cienkowska has previously voiced support for sweeping changes and the depoliticisation of public broadcasters, a recent report by Polish outlet Onet.pl claims that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has instructed her not to alter the government’s current stance.
According to journalist Dominika Długosz, the head of Polish government told the minister that “there are to be no changes in the government’s approach to public media; everything is to stay as it was,” citing insider sources.
New culture minister vows swift action despite reported tensions
After being sworn in as minister, Cienkowska announced on social media that work on the long-awaited public media reform bill would now proceed swiftly. She added that there was no time to waste, given the scale of the task ahead.
“The long-anticipated media bill has been added to the government’s legislative agenda,” she wrote. “It’s not just a campaign promise - it’s a necessity. Public media have already suffered enough at the hands of politicians of all stripes, and so have we, the audience.”
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Source: IAR/Onet.pl/X/@MartaCienkowska