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             Poland's President Signs Media Law Despite EU Concerns

   by Associated Press

   Poland's president signed a new law giving the government control of
   state radio and television, an official announced Thursday, despite
   concerns from the European Union about media independence in the
   country.

   Andrzej Duda signed the legislation because he wants state media to be
   "impartial, objective and reliable," his aide Malgorzata Sadurska said.
   She added that the president doesn't believe the broadcasters guarantee
   objective information in their current form.

   The new legislation allows for the immediate ending of the terms of the
   heads of state radio and television, and gives the treasury minister
   the authority to appoint successors. It also limits the number of
   members sitting on the state broadcasters' supervisory and management
   boards.

   Sadurska said the president is fully aware of the EU concerns, and
   believes the new law won't be detrimental.

   Some EU leaders, however, have expressed alarm, saying that Poland's
   media freedom is being threatened. On Tuesday, EU human rights
   commissioner Nils Muiznieks appealed to Duda not to sign the law.

   The European Commission will debate Poland's rule of law on January 13,
   a step that could eventually result in the country losing its EU voting
   rights on matters that concern the entire 28-nation bloc. Poland joined
   the EU in 2004.

   In reaction to Duda signing the law, European Commission deputy head
   Frans Timmermans said he was looking forward to having a dialogue with
   Poland about the changes in legislation.

   European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Poland is an
   "important and full member of the EU" and he didn't want to speculate
   about the consequences of steps being taken by the new government in
   Warsaw.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/poland-media-law/3134986.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/poland-media-law/3134986.html