The representatives of the Platforma Obywatelska political party [Civil Platform] announced their plan to abolish the radio and television licence fee. The decision provoked a hot debate in circles connected with mass media. It should be mentioned that the radio and television licence is the main source of public media funding, among others in such countries as Great Britain, Germany, Italy and France. “It will be the end of the public radio’s activity” – said Krzysztof Czabański, the president of the Polish Radio.  “Public Radio will not make a living on advertisements”.

“Public Radio is necessary and should coexist with commercial stations” – said the president of the Białystok Radio - Mirosław Bielawski. He underlined that only public stations broadcast programmes dedicated to national minorities or concerning the 2^nd and 3^rd sports leagues. If funds will be reduced these kinds of broadcasts will be limited or will completely disappear.

The National Council of Radio Broadcasting and Television criticizes the government's plan. It is absolutely against such a radical change of public media functioning and financing.

In reply to the government’s decision, artistic circles wrote an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister Donald Tusk, where they emphasized that it is their civic duty to protest against plans of weakening public media. They expressed their anxiety about activities undertaken by the government towards public radio and television. They also declared their objections against the privatization of public media. They underlined that the licence fee is the most fair and honest way of financing public media. Its abolishment will make the public media dependent on the government’s administration.

The open letter, only in the Polish version, is available on the following web-site

More information in English, www.filmneweurope.com, www.polskieradio.pl