• New media bill constitutional?
  • 10.12.2009

 

The Constitutional Tribunal is today investigating whether the proposed TV-Radio licence fee is lawful.

 

Mirosław Wróblewski from the Office of the Ombudsman for Citizen’s Rights told Polish Radio this morning that the Tribunal may oblige parliament to pass a law that would guarantee the collection of the licence fees.

 

The comment comes after Ombudsman Janusz Kochanowski’s claim that while the new media bill envisages a licence fee, it does not guarantee the execution of its payment.

 

The current law dating from 2005 states that Poczta Polska (Polish Post) controls the registration of radio and television sets, and in the case of unregistered receivers may impose a fine.

 

Currently the monthly fee for a radio set amounts to 5.3 zlotys, just over 1 euro. (jb)