Speaking in a radio interview on Thursday, Wróbel said the legislation would abolish the television licence fee, fund public broadcasters Polish Radio and Polish Television directly from the state budget, dismantle the National Media Council and introduce safeguards to ensure state media are run by non-political appointees.
Asked by regional broadcaster Radio Katowice when public media would formally cease to operate "in liquidation," Wróbel said the status would change once their financial situation is stabilised.
He said that would happen when the government implements the European Media Freedom Act and President Karol Nawrocki signs the bill into law.
Wróbel said the government is determined to submit the legislation to parliament and ensure its adoption.
He described public media as part of Poland’s critical infrastructure and a key element of information security at a time of growing threats.
Wróbel said state broadcasters were the main source of information during last year’s floods in southwestern Poland and when Russian drones briefly violated Polish airspace in September.
"This shows that audiences turn to public media when they want verified, reliable information," he said.
On funding, Wróbel said the finance ministry has argued against allocating budget funds to public media at a time when billions of zlotys are being directed to defence and healthcare.
However, he said the European Media Freedom Act requires stable financing from the central budget to prevent governments or interest groups from exerting pressure by cutting funds.
He added that the culture ministry wants the bill to specify a guaranteed funding level as the foundation for public media financing.
Asked when the bill would be submitted to parliament, Wróbel said the government aims to do so before the summer recess.
Asked whether Nawrocki would sign the bill, he said that decision rests with the president.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP