U.S. congressmen warn Polish gov't against passing changes to media law

"Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Michael McCaul, Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Representatives Bill Keating and Brian Fitzpatrick, Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment, and Cyber Subcommittee, as well as Representatives Gerry Connolly and Steve Chabot, released a statement ahead of the consideration by Poland’s parliament of a new media law that would prevent non-EU companies from taking control of Polish broadcasters," reads a press release published on the Foreign Affairs Committee website.

"If passed, this law would in effect force the American media company Discovery, which owns TVN24, the country’s largest independent news channel, out of the Polish market. Sadly, this is part and parcel of a troubling trend regarding independent media in Poland, evidenced by the country’s drop in the latest World Press Freedom Index to its lowest ever position of 62nd, following five consecutive years of decline," we read at the website.

"Since the Solidarity movement precipitated Poland’s transition from a communist dictatorship to a liberal democracy, strong, steadfast, and bipartisan support for the U.S.-Poland relationship was founded on a shared commitment to democratic principles and the fundamental freedoms of all our citizens. We are therefore growing increasingly concerned about the ongoing attacks on the free press, independent judiciary and the rule of law in Poland," reads the statement itself.

"Congress will be watching closely as the fate of the new media law and the renewal of TVN’s license are decided and urges the Polish government to ensure a free, independent media as well as U.S. investments in Poland are safeguarded," U.S. Congress Representatives said.

A draft amendment to Poland's Broadcasting Act, the so-called lex anti-TVN, has drawn attention of U.S. senators who on Wednesday issued a bipartisan statement regarding the issue. In their view, the legislation proposed by the ruling PiS party "would infringe on a free, independent media and jeopardize U.S. media investments in Poland".

Authors of the bill, put forward by a group of PiS MPs on July 7, argue that it aims at "clarifying regulations enabling the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) to effectively counteract the possibility of radio and television broadcasters to be taken over by any entities from outside the European Union, including entities from countries posing an immediate threat to state security".

Commentators and experts agree that the planned changes are meant to target TVN. TVN24 channel is still waiting for the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) to extend its licence. The current one expires on September 26. The station filed for an extension in February 2020.

The KRRiT claims the problem lies in the "ownership situation" of the TVN Group. The company said in a statement that in 2015 the council had approved entry of American capital into TVN.