Council of Europe experts recommend changes to the government’s draft media law

Poland’s coalition government is currently working on a draft law implementing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) which came into force on August 8 2025. The regulation was drafted and passed to secure media freedom in the European Union. It covers among others the protection of editorial independence of journalists, the freedom from external control of public service media, and the interests of authors and users of social media from attempts by ‘bad actors’ to disinform society at large.

The draft law amends Poland’s Radio and Television act originally passed in 1992 which regulates public service media as well as the powers o Poland’s broadcast media regulator.

A public consultation of the law authored by Poland’s Culture Ministry closed on January 23 2026 and the next phase will see the amended draft discussed by government ministries after which a complete version will be sent for debate to parliament’s Sejm, the lower chamber and the Senate, the higher chamber for debate and approval. The final stage expected in the second half of 2026 will be acceptance by the President.

Policy Advice Report on the draft amendments to Poland’s legal framework governing media