Statement from Members of Polish American Business Community

 

As the proposed new media law in Poland and the renewal of TVN’s license are considered, we urge the Polish government to act in the best interest of the country by ensuring a free, independent media and by safeguarding US business interests in Poland.

 

As members of the Polish American business community, we are active participants driving bilateral trade and business relationships between the U.S. and Poland.  We are now concerned that the proposed Polish legislation, also known as “lex TVN,” will negatively impact Discovery, Inc., one of U.S. largest investors in Poland and part owner of TVN24, Poland’s highest rated news station. We believe this threatens the mutually prosperous U.S. – Poland relationship, which is based in strong economic partnership, shared democratic values, and strategic alignment.

 

Also, it would certainly make promoting and doing business in Poland much more difficult.  According to the American Chamber of Commerce in Poland: 

 

  • Trade in services between the countries totaled $7.2b per year, with Poland benefiting from a $2.6 trade surplus.
  • Trade in merchandise goods is $15.2b, with U.S. benefiting from a $586 surplus.
  • Over 290 thousand jobs in Poland come from U.S. companies and direct investment.
  • 4.4% of Polish GDP comes from the U.S. and Poland working together.
  • The US is the 2nd most important source of capital investment in Poland. 

 

Nationalizing TVN24 would have a ripple effect, harming U.S. and foreign investment in Poland and overall economic relations between Poland and the world.  This legislative agenda could even put in jeopardy the U.S.’s long friendship with Poland in NATO.  If passed in the Sejm, we believe the legislation will not only negatively affect the Polish economy and job market, but will affect U.S. businesses of all sizes operating or intending to operate in Poland.

 

U.S. and foreign companies will not invest in a country where their investments are not protected by the rule of law and economic transparency.

 

We are leaders and businesspeople who love the United States and Poland.  Our shared history, and common values of democracy and freedom, has created a vibrant and mutually beneficial economic partnership.  We hope the Polish government recognizes this unique, complex, and rich relationship and moves to strengthen it, rather than diminish it for short-term political gain.

 

We therefore urge the Polish government to ensure full-throated democracy and freedom, which includes independent media in Poland.

 

Sincerely, the undersigned,

 

Steve Akins, CTO and Co-Founder of Drone Arrival, Inc. (Chicago, IL)

 

Marta Almodovar, Cook County Circuit Court (Chicago, IL)

 

Anna Bielicka, Managing Partner at Policy Bridge (Washington D.C)

 

Stanley Boduch, President of MB Builders (Greater Chicago)

 

Zbigniew Chrzanowski, C/O of Lhotse Corp dba Trident Contracting (New York, NY), Former Member of Polish Parliament, Former Member of European Parliament, and Former Secretary of State in Polish Government 

 

Mark Dobrzycki, Community Activist, Former AP (Associated Press) editor, Former Harwood Heights Trustee

 

Lucas Fuksa, Partner of Fuksa Khorshid, LLC, Former President of the Polish American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago (Chicago, IL)

 

Bill Gluba, Former Mayor of Davenport, Former Iowa State Representative, and Former Iowa State Senator (Davenport, IA)

 

Agnieszka Ilwicka-Karuna,Oral Historian, National Yiddish Book Center (Berkeley, CA)

 

Dr. Tomasz J. Kokocinski, PT, DPT, CFCE, President and CEO, Vital Rehabilitation (Chicago, IL)

 

L. Jessica Jagielnik, Polish Community and Arts Activist, (Chicago, IL)

 

Dr. Kinga Kosmala, Non Profit Executive and University of Chicago Alumnus (Chicago, IL) 

 

Christopher Krezel, Farmers Insurance (Chicago, IL)

 

Jan Kubik, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University, USA and Professor of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, UK (New Brunswick, NJ)

 

Aneta Kuczewska, Former Vice-Consul, Trade and Investment Section of the Consulate General of Poland in New York (New York, NY)

 

Lukas Lipinski, Founder, Polish-Americans for Biden (Washington, DC)

 

Karen Majewski, Mayor of Hamtramck (Hamtramck, MI)

 

Maureen Mroczek Morris, Author; Historian of the Polish Society of California (San Francisco, CA)

 

Arthur Mrozowski, Managing Director of Silicon Hill Ventures, LLC (Santa Cruz, CA)

 

Conrad C. Nowak, Attorney, Former Chairman of the Board, Polish American Association (Chicago, IL)

 

Bogdan Pukszta, Polish American Chamber Executive (Chicago, IL)

 

Alex Storozynski, Journalist, Author and Filmmaker (West Orange, NJ)

 

Sergiusz Zgrzebski, Journalist, Entrepreneur and Former Candidate (Chicago, IL)