Newly-elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has closed the channel as part of an attempt to “depoliticise” state media. The resolution was passed Tuesday night and backed by a majority in Warsaw’s parliament.
It called on television and radio to demonstrate “independence, objectivity and pluralism.”
Reports claim that the head of TVP TV, the head of the state news agency PAP, and the head of Polish Radio were dismissed. TVP Info was taken off the air on Wednesday.
Tusk, head of the coalition government, was sworn in earlier this month after winning the mandate in October. His opponents, the Law and Justice party, went on strike outside TVP headquarters after the news channel was shut down.
As a result of the changes, TVP became what many saw as the PiS government’s propaganda machine, accusing the opposition of acting against Polish interests and supporting government policies.
Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki condemned the “illegal actions” of the new government, calling them “a first step towards a dictatorship.” President Andrzej Duda, once a PiS member, accused Tusk of “violating constitutional principles and the law.”
At 19:30, instead of the main news programme, Wiadomości, viewers saw a statement by newly appointed programme director Marek Czyż.
“No Polish citizen who finances the operation of public television has any obligation to listen to anyone’s propaganda, [but] has a right to demand reliable, professional and honest information.”
He announced that from Thursday Wiadomości would present an unbiased “picture of the world and the day.”
Instead of propaganda soup, we want to offer you clear water.
Media changes could theoretically be blocked by the president, who has veto power over bills.
