We kindly inform you that due to technical work, on Sunday, August 24, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the Public Information Bulletin service of the Commissioner for Human Rights will not be available. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Implementation of the European Media Freedom Act into Polish law. Question to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and response
Date:
The Commissioner for Human Rights has asked the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for information on the progress of work on a draft law implementing the requirements of the European Media Freedom Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council). The Act will apply from 8 August 2025, but some of its provisions require the adoption of national regulations, without which its effectiveness would remain significantly limited.
Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights Stanisław Trociuk recalled that, according to the Ministry’s announcements, the draft law was expected to be included in the List of Legislative Works in mid-2025. He therefore inquired about the current stage of the legislative process.
This work concerns key issues previously raised in the CHR’s interventions, including the procedure for appointing management and supervisory boards of public radio and television companies, regulation of market concentration in the media sector, and the prohibition on publishing newspapers by local government units. Statutory regulation of these matters will be of fundamental importance in guaranteeing citizens’ enjoyment of their rights and freedoms, with particular emphasis on freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information under Article 54(1) of the Polish Constitution. The strong interest expressed by civil society organisations during public consultations further demonstrates the need for efficient progress in implementing the Regulation.
The Ministry has informed that the draft law is currently under consideration by the Government Work Programming Team and will subsequently be submitted for public consultation. It stressed that the planned reform is intended to ensure stable funding for public media, strengthen the independence of the National Broadcasting Council, safeguard the autonomy of public broadcasting companies’ governing bodies, and introduce rules on media market concentration and a ban on newspaper publishing by local governments.
https://bip.brpo.gov.pl/pl/content/rpo-europejski-akt-wolnosci-mediow-mkidn
