Press Act, the elimination of censorship had resulted in the appearance of a large number of new publications reflecting a wide range of opinion. During the first 9 months of the year, 36 libel cases had been brought against journalists, reflecting the philosophy underlying the abolition of censorship, namely that people were now expected to assume responsibility for their words and deeds. The Control of Publications and Productions Act had been repealed, thereby ending preventive censorship, but inciting others to commit offences and praising others for having committed offences were now punishable under the Code of Criminal Procedure. 167. Restrictions on the exercise of the freedom of expression set out in the 1989 Act amending the Control of Publications Act had recently been repealed. Censorship had been completely abolished and the restrictions described in paragraph 123 of Poland's report were no longer in force. Those restrictions unfortunately still formed part of the Code of Criminal Procedure but a broad revision of the Code was currently taking place. In any event, there had been no convictions on the basis of those provisions. Television broadcasting was still a State monopoly as an act on private television and radio broadcasting had not yet been adopted by Parliament. Anyone refused access to information had the right to appeal to an administrative court. There was no restriction on the import of foreign publications, which were readily available at newsstands, nor were there restrictions on foreign correspondents. Freedom of assembly and association 168. With reference to that issue, members of the Committee wished to know the composition and powers of the administrative bodies that were competent to monitor the activities of associations; the relevant legal provisions governing the registration of associations; what criteria were used to determine the restrictions necessary for the protection of public order; and in what specific cases meetings had been prohibited. Further information was also requested on the right of members of the police force and prison service to form trade unions. 169. In reply, the representative of the State party said that the authority competent to deal with the monitoring of the activities of associations was the provincial governor, who reviewed applications for registration submitted by associations. The administrative authority could revoke any provision in the regulations of an association not in conformity with its statutes and could request a court to dissolve an association if it infringed upon the law, if its numbers fell below the level required by law, or if it had no leadership. The prohibition of meetings was severely restricted, and any exceptions were subject to review by the courts. In that regard, the inclusion of the general clauses of the Covenant into national law served to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals. Police and prison officers were able to join a union but they did not have the right to strike. The right to join trade unions did not extend to frontier guards, officials of the Office for the Protection of State Officials, civil servants or professional soldiers. Right to participate in the conduct of public affairs 170. In connection with that issue, members of the Committee wished to know the current status of the law on political parties and whether the Polish -38-