Television Poland on the edge of the financial abyss What about her future?

Polish tv (TVP) faces financial problems that endanger its unchangeable functioning. According to the findings of the diary of Legal paper (DGP), public broadcasters may shortly receive further funding, but the current situation indicates crucial difficulties.

Citizens' Coalition Promises

The Citizens' Coalition in its electoral demands promised to halt backing for the “factory of lies and hatred” that TVP and another public media had become. The funds would be utilized to treat cancer. Although this promise is inactive active, reality shows a different picture.

Current financial situation of TVP

In 2024, according to the budget law, public media could number on support of up to PLN 3 billion. However, president Andrzej Duda's veto forced the government to retreat from this proposal. Nevertheless, TVP managed to receive any of the essential resources through peculiar grants. In fresh months, the public media received a full of over PLN 1,275 billion, of which PLN 1.02 billion went to TVP. Despite these grants, TVP inactive needs about PLN 1 billion for the current year.

Future measures planned

The Ministry of Culture and Finance discuss further backing of TVP from the special-purpose reserve. Decisions are to be taken in late August or early September. The talks besides concern ensuring unchangeable financing of public media for the next year, which would let companies to better plan spending.

Problems with withdrawals with KRRiT

The National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) has inactive not transferred most of the funds from subscription receipts, resulting from difficulties in establishing judicial deposits. This situation led to a stalemate, and funds amounting to PLN 620 million (including PLN 320 million for TVP) stay in court accounts.

Legislative changes planned

The current word of office of president of the KRRiT, Maciej Świrski, runs until the fall of 2028. However, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage is working on an amendment to the Broadcasting Act, which assumes the cancellation of the current composition of the KRRiT and the appointment of fresh members. Public media backing would be based on a fixed percent of the state budget. The bill is scheduled to be presented in November 2024, and its full implementation is planned for June 2025.

Summary

The financial situation of Polish tv is complicated and uncertain. Despite political promises and temporary grants, TVP is inactive facing the challenges of providing unchangeable funding. The planned legislative changes may supply a solution, but it will take time and consultation to implement them fully.

Daniel Głogowski

Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.