Poles Blast Bill That Would Silence U.S.-Owned TV Network

Nationwide demonstrations were planned Tuesday in Poland against a bill widely viewed as an effort by the country’s nationalist ruling party to silence an independent, US-owned television broadcaster critical of the government, Vanessa Gera reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: The TVN office in Warsaw

Technically, the bill would prevent non-European owners from having controlling stakes in Polish media companies. In practice, it would push American company Discovery Inc. to sell its controlling stake in TVN, a network with many channels that operates all-news station TVN24 and has a flagship evening news program that is watched by millions daily.

At stake in the bill’s passage is Poland’s reputation for media freedom and as a place for foreign companies to do business. The proposal is already straining relations with the United States, a key ally.

Poland’s ruling party, Law and Justice, has long sought to nationalize the media, citing national security, and says the law would bring Poland into line with other European countries, including France and Germany, which limit foreign ownership in the media sector. It cites the risk of media being controlled by hostile powers like Russia and China.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Tuesday the law isn’t directed against anyone but seeks to protect Polish society. He alleged, for example, that foreign entities are trying to influence Poland’s public debate on COVID-19 vaccinations.

“It is through the media that other countries influence our social life,” he said at a news conference. Demonstrations in support of TVN are planned in 78 cities and towns for Tuesday night, the eve before parliament is set to debate the bill.

The bill was introduced last month. Its chance of passing is high but not certain because a junior partner in Poland’s right-wing coalition government views the bill as an attack on pluralism.

Reporters Without Borders urged Polish lawmakers to reject the legislation. It accused Law and Justice of “targeting Poland’s leading independent TV broadcaster on the pretext of combating disinformation and defending national security.”

The press freedom group said it believes the true aim is “to enable government allies to acquire TVN.” Poland fell this year to 64th of 180 countries in the group’s World Press Freedom Index, its lowest-ever ranking. It was in 18th place in 2015, the year Law and Justice took power.

TVN24 is the leading source of independent broadcast news for many Poles. The station celebrated the 20th anniversary of its launch on Monday.

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