- Title: Polish government expects majority on contested media reform bill
- Date: 11th August 2021
- Summary: WARSAW, POLAND (AUGUST 10, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ATTENDING PROTEST AGAINST REFORM OF MEDIA OWNERSHIP
- Embargoed: 25th August 2021 10:05
- Keywords: Accord leader Jaroslaw Gowin Mateusz Morawiecki Polish government Polish prime minister TVN media ownership media reform
- Location: WARSAW, POLAND
- City: WARSAW, POLAND
- Country: Poland
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001EPU6ZP5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Polish government thinks it can pass a bill tightening media ownership rules on Wednesday (August 11) despite firing the party leader of a junior coalition partner.
On Tuesday (August 10), thousands of Poles took to the streets to protest against changes they say aim to silence a broadcaster critical of the government.
A government spokesman said he expected the changes to be accepted by a majority in the country's parliament on Wednesday and the government would continue to function.
Poland's prime minister also on Tuesday dismissed the head of a junior coalition partner from the government, creating uncertainty over the future of the administration.
A government spokesman said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki had made the decision due to "insufficient progress" with its flagship economic program by the ministry headed by Jaroslaw Gowin, the leader of Accord, which is a junior partner in the United Right coalition.
Accord has also said it opposes tightening of media ownership rules. Critics of the draft amendment to the Broadcasting Act say the changes could result in TVN24, which is often critical of the government and is owned by U.S. giant Discovery, losing its license.
(Production: Lewis Macdonald) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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