Polish parliament prepares way for lifting martial law

July 14, 1983

Poland's parliament is drafting a new law on regulation of the news media in preparation for the lifting of martial law, sources said. The text of the proposed legislation indicated that tough censorship and a crackdown on underground press activities would continue after full civilian rule is restored. But some provisions of the law, which could be approved by parliament next week, were more liberal than expected.

Anyone involved in unauthorized publishing would face up to one year in prison under the new law, compared with a minimum of three years under martial law regulations.