In his speech at the turn of the year, Poland's right-wing nationalist president Andrzej Duda warned the new centrist government led by former EU Council president Donald Tusk against violating the constitution and the rule of law.
Last night, Duda especially criticized the radical restructuring of public media promoted by the government. “In a democracy, the constitution, the rule of law and good political customs must be respected. “Unfortunately, in recent days, the ruling coalition has violated these principles in its attempt to take control of the public media,” said Duda.
Minister of Culture ordered the suspension
The pro-European government, which has been in power since mid-December, accused the public television station TVP, Polish radio and the PAP news agency of having broadcast party propaganda in recent years under the government of the national-conservative PiS.
Culture Minister Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz fired the entire management of media companies before Christmas. International organizations also criticized the fact that public media outlets offered one-sided reporting during the eight years of PiS rule.
When President Duda, who originally belonged to PiS, vetoed the Tusk government's budget plans, Sienkiewicz ordered the formal liquidation of the three media companies.