Late at night, which at this point is almost a traditional method of those in power, a deputy draft [Law and Justice] of an amendment of the National Broadcasting Act appeared on the Sejm’s website. A group of deputies wants to change the current National Broadcasting Act, in a shortened legislative process, to “prevent the hybrid actions” of third countries from outside of the European Union. The amended act may in an obvious way hurt TVN which is owned by a broadcaster from outside of the European Economic Area. That broadcaster is American Discovery.

 

The Association of Journalists of the Republic of Poland is protesting against secret legislative “entries”, it does not agree to the amendment of the National Broadcasting Act, which results in an attack on independent media and freedom of speech. We do not agree for a model of “only right media”, subordinate to the ruling party, to be introduced in Poland. We believe that the delay in renewing the broadcasting license for TVN24 has been planned, that it is part of the process of amending the National Broadcasting Act, and that it reflects the increasing politicization of this institution.

 

A Polish citizen in a democratic country may not be deprived of the right to choose media.

 

PRESIDIUM

 

of the Main Board of the Association of Journalists of the Republic of Poland

 

Source: Association of Journalists of the Republic of Poland