Polish bishops criticize the new media bill, which is currently being debated in the Parliament.

“The new media law is a direct attack on public television and radio. It will destroy public media in Poland,” said Father Jozef Kloch, spokesman of the Polish Episcopate. “The abolishment of the TV and radio license fee and renunciation of Christian values in public media is deeply disturbing,” said Kloch.

Earlier, the Polish Episcopate announced that Polish Radio (PR) and Polish Television (TVP) are a part of the national heritage and thus should be protected. “By no means public media can be replaced,” said Archbishop Slawoj Leszek Glodz.

On Thursday, the official stance of Polish bishops on the proposed media law will be presented at the Common Government and Episcopate Committee’s meeting.

The Sejm again debated the government‘s media bill, Wednesday, which proposes replacing the licence fee - which only around 40 percent of households purchase, with direct taxation. (mg)