Status: December 20, 2021 8:12 a.m.
In Poland tens of thousands protested against a new broadcasting law. It is directed indirectly against the government-critical broadcaster TVN, which is part of a US group. President Duda could still stop the law, however.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Poland on Sunday against a new broadcasting law. From the point of view of critics, it could restrict the freedom of the press. The protesters carried posters with slogans such as “Free media, free people, free Poland” and “We have a right to the truth”.
In Warsaw, the demonstrators gathered in front of the presidential palace. Opposition leader Donald Tusk called on the crowd to work towards a change in government. Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski warned that the Internet would soon be censored and that the last non-governmental sources of information in Poland would be switched off.
There were also rallies in Gdansk, Szczecin, Poznan, Krakow and many other cities. The police and organizers did not name the exact number of participants.
Law hits anti-government broadcaster TVN
Parliament passed the amended law on Friday. In future, broadcasting licenses will only be allowed to be issued to foreigners if they have their headquarters or residence in the European Economic Area. In addition, the licensee must not be dependent on someone who is headquartered or resident outside of it.
According to critics, the law targets the private broadcaster TVN, which is part of the US group Discovery through a holding company registered in the Netherlands. Politicians of the ruling PiS party accuse TVN of spreading Lukashenko propaganda while reporting on the crisis on the eastern border.
President Duda is considering veto
Officially, the Polish government argues that the law serves to protect national security. It should ensure that no company outside of Europe controls media that are opinion-forming in Poland. The decision now rests with President Andrzej Duda. He has indicated that he could veto the law.
The US government also sharply criticized the new law. The State Department in Washington said it was “deeply concerned” about passages that “undermine freedom of expression, weaken press freedom and undermine the confidence of foreign investors in their property rights.” The US encouraged Duda to defend the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.