Poland reduces financing of Belsat

Radoslaw Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, said on Friday he would paid Belsat for seized by Belarusian militia equipment. His gesture was traversed by media. But at the same time it became known about a strange decision – to reduce financing of the TV channel Belsat.

– According to sample calculations, assistance to Belarusian journalists amounts to 50-70 thousand zloty (USD 25-30 thousand), – Spokesman of the Polish Foreign Ministry Piotr Paszkowski said to the Polish Press Agency.

But Slawomir Siwek, member of the executive board of the Polish Television (TVP), received a letter under date 17 March saying the Foreign Ministry would reduce financing of Belsat by 3 million zloty (about USD 1.4 million): 18 million zloty (USD 8 million) instead of 21 million zloty. This is the final sum.

Cost of Belsat activity is estimated at 27 million zloty this year. It was expected to receive money from the Foreign Ministry, and 6 million foreign partners. On the question about reasons of decrease of funding by the Foreign Ministry, Piotr Paszkowski said: “I’m out of the picture.”

To manage the channel for Belarus at decreased budget, TVP will have to reduce broadcasting time, “Nasha Niva” informs.