Polish president signs bill putting state media under government control

Poland’s president has signed into law a bill handing the conservative government control of state media, despite concern elsewhere in the EU and condemnation from rights watchdogs.

Andrzej Duda signed the legislation because he wants state media to be “impartial, objective and credible”, his aide Małgorzata Sadurska said. She added that the president did not believe broadcasters guaranteed objective information in their current form.

Under the new law, senior figures in public radio and television will be appointed – and sacked – by the treasury minister, and will no longer be hired by the National Broadcasting Council.

Under the legislation current managers and supervisory board members of Poland’s public broadcasters will be fired with immediate effect.

Guardian Link

Quite disturbing when only last month Duda amended Poland's Constitutional Tribunal Bill so 5 of the 15 judges, who are supposed to be independent, will now be government appointed. So in effect, the potential curbing of the top judicial process in Poland.

Poland's Constitutional Tribunal

Are we seeing authoritarian rule through the back door? It would be interesting to hear any ATS Polish members' take on this.

From Wikipedia:

Duda began his political career with the now-defunct Freedom Union Party in the early 2000s, but after the parliamentary elections in 2005, began his collaboration with the Law and Justice Party (PIS). From 2006 to 2007 he was an undersecretary of state in the Ministry of Justice. From 2007 to 2008 he was a member of the Polish State Tribunal.

From 2008 to 2010 he was an undersecretary of state in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland during the presidency of Lech Kaczyński. In 2010, he was an unsuccessful candidate to become the Mayor of Kraków as a PiS candidate, but was more successful in the 2011 parliamentary election, where he received 79,981 votes for the Kraków area, and thus became an envoy to the Sejm.

In September 2013, the paper Polityka commended him for being one of the most active MPs at the time, describing him as being open to opposition arguments and as refraining from personal attacks, as part of his role at the Commission for Constitutional Responsibility. However, he did not sit out the term, becoming elected in 2014 as a member of the European Parliament.

In the first round of the 2015 presidential election, he came first, receiving 5,179,092 votes and thus 34.76% of valid votes. In the second round he took 51.55% of the vote against the 48.45% share of his rival, incumbent president Bronisław Komorowski. On 26 May 2015, he officially resigned from party membership

A quick Wiki link-hop shows the Law and Justice Party (PIS) is a national-conservative political party in Poland. With 235 seats in the Sejm and 61 in the Senate. It is currently the largest party in the Polish parliament. It embraces economic interventionism while maintaining a socially conservative stance.

How can state media possible be objective? Haha

Must be the Polish BBC

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
How can state media possible be objective? Haha

Must be the Polish BBC

I agree with your first comment, it's called state media for a reason. Poland would of course be use to that with Pravda and the more media friendly RT even though the USSR has long gone.

I disagree with your second comment, the BBC isn't state media (fairly sure I'll getting shot down on here for stating the fact as so many will say I'm wrong).

Well thats a step backawards

I love Poland, love the people and the country. This is a bad move.

originally posted by: uncommitted

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
How can state media possible be objective? Haha

Must be the Polish BBC

I agree with your first comment, it's called state media for a reason. Poland would of course be use to that with Pravda and the more media friendly RT even though the USSR has long gone.

I disagree with your second comment, the BBC isn't state media (fairly sure I'll getting shot down on here for stating the fact as so many will say I'm wrong).

Tongue in cheek, it's as good as state media, I'm Scottish btw so I've experienced a few examples of it

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum

originally posted by: uncommitted

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
How can state media possible be objective? Haha

Must be the Polish BBC

I agree with your first comment, it's called state media for a reason. Poland would of course be use to that with Pravda and the more media friendly RT even though the USSR has long gone.

I disagree with your second comment, the BBC isn't state media (fairly sure I'll getting shot down on here for stating the fact as so many will say I'm wrong).

Tongue in cheek, it's as good as state media, I'm Scottish btw so I've experienced a few examples of it

lol, point taken. If you are referring to the referendum, I know people have opinions on that on both sides...... probably best not to stir that one up again.

Sounds like a safer version of the 80s in Poland. Hope the militia isnt reintroduced..

EDIT: I hope there will be no militia reintroduction!!

What else we expect from the former Soviet 'Republic'?

They have new masters, old ideas.

All Hail the Old New Ministry of Truth!

originally posted by: intrptr
What else we expect from the former Soviet 'Republic'?

They have new masters, old ideas.

All Hail the Old New Ministry of Truth!

Poland was a communist state for 44 years. They have a long history before and after that.

They are just emulating Putin across the border who controls all of his media. With tensions at the border, Poland would be at a disadvantage if they allowed pro Russian propaganda to flow freely through their media that undermines their government. If the Russians can have controlled media and the socialists are ok with it, never calling it "Authoritarian rule", why is it all of a sudden bad for Poland?

This signals more of a heightened security state in the region than anything else, over fear of Russian aggression.

a reply to: TinfoilTP

This signals more of a heightened security state in the region than anything else, over fear of Russian aggression.

This would fit in with Duda's aim of an increased NATO presence in Poland. Interestingly to the point of attempting to bribe the UK government according to the article below published a few days ago. Assistance from the UK government to facilitate this aim in exchange for limiting the number of Polish migrants coming to the UK.

Poland Hopes to Use Britain to Stick Washington with Bigger NATO Bill

With due respect, don't talk about # you have no clue about. He's getting rid of jewish, german and communist traitors to our country. Hence the international reaction of the jewish/german condominium in Europe.

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
How can state media possible be objective? Haha

Must be the Polish BBC

If its not then some Corporate will take it over for their agenda.

originally posted by: TheAllOne
With due respect, don't talk about # you have no clue about. He's getting rid of jewish, german and communist traitors to our country. Hence the international reaction of the jewish/german condominium in Europe.

I did ask for any Polish members to give their perspective. Are you Polish? Can you expand on your comment?

originally posted by: luthier

originally posted by: intrptr
What else we expect from the former Soviet 'Republic'?

They have new masters, old ideas.

All Hail the Old New Ministry of Truth!

Poland was a communist state for 44 years. They have a long history before and after that.

I meant more like in recent history, they only been free of the Soviet boot heel for a few years, takes time to develop a different outlook for all the entrenched remnants of the past Dictatorship. They are young state in that regard. Now NATO has taken the helm, occupying their lands with Missile 'defense' and military bases, painting a big nuclear target on them all over again.

Damnit.

Missile Defense

The US media has been under government control for a couple of years, now.
Media Now Openly Admitting The Government Controls The News

Yes the real scandal is that the government is entirely controlling the news and the media is doing nothing more regurgitating an official narrative crafted by spooks in the shadow government.

I say: "a couple of years", but i KNOW that's not the case. It's much longer. Who knows when we've had some REAL NEWS?

If it was already "state media", then the government already had control. Am I missing something?

a reply to: WeDemBoyz

The news article is about public-sector (state) media being changed to state (government) controlled media.

a reply to: deliberator

If I'm reading this right, the 'state media' is sorta like our CBC here in Canada, federally funded and somewhat regulated by the Fed.

And now they are choosing to use politicians to decide who works there and who doesn't. That's a slippery slope.

~tenth

originally posted by: JuJuBee
The US media has been under government control for a couple of years, now.
Media Now Openly Admitting The Government Controls The News

Yes the real scandal is that the government is entirely controlling the news and the media is doing nothing more regurgitating an official narrative crafted by spooks in the shadow government.

I say: "a couple of years", but i KNOW that's not the case. It's much longer. Who knows when we've had some REAL NEWS?

That link is hardly unbiased, it's an opinion piece by a pissed off 'reporter' who hasn't had his copy picked up for circulation. If it's written as a diatribe full of opinion and speculation like that article then I'm hardly surprised.