Media laws at Poland

20 May 2025 --
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Poland's media laws have undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly under the influence of the Law and Justice (PiS) party. These reforms have sparked debates about media freedom, government control, and foreign influence.

🇵🇱 Key Media Laws and Regulatory Bodies

1. **National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT)*

Established in 1993, the KRRiT is Poland's broadcasting regulator responsible for issuing broadcast licenses and ensuring compliance with the law by public broadcaster. It operates as an independent agency, with members elected by the President and each chamber of Parliament for six-year term. the KRRiT has faced criticism for its perceived alignment with the ruling party, particularly regarding its treatment of media outlets like TVN Style, owned by US-based Warner Bros. Discover. In 2024, the US ambassador to Poland criticized the KRRiT for questioning TVN Style's ownership structure, raising concerns about investment predictability and bilateral interests

2. **National Media Council*

Established in 2016, the National Media Council oversees the appointment and dismissal of personnel at state-owned media entities, including Telewizja Polska (TVP), Polish Radio, and the Polish Press Agenc. Critics argue that the council has favored the ruling party, turning state media into propaganda tool. Following the PiS's loss of majority in the 2023 parliamentary elections, the council's role has been sidelined, and it no longer appoints management boards of state media due to its disputed legal status.

📺 Recent Developments

**Lex TVN*

In 2021, the PiS introduced a controversial bill known as "Lex TVN," which aimed to restrict foreign ownership of Polish media outles The bill targeted TVN, a prominent news channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, by imposing restrictions on foreign entities owning Polish meda The bill was vetoed by President Andrzej Duda in December 2021, but the PiS later overrode the veto in the Sejm, Poland's lower house of parliament, in December 2021

**Public Broadcasting Reforms*

After a period of heavy political influence under the PiS, Poland's public broadcasting system is attempting to restore its focus on factual nes The new pro-European coalition government, elected in October 2023, is working to depoliticize public broadcasting by removing politically aligned staff and drafting media laws to ensure the independence of public meda However, challenges remain, including garnering support from President Andrzej Duda, who is aligned with the PiS.

📰 Media Landscae

Poland's media landscape is diverse, with a mix of public and private broadcastr. TVP, the state-owned public broadcaster, has faced criticism for biased reporting and political interferec. Private media outlets like TVN24, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, have been at the center of debates over media freedom and foreign ownersi. In response to concerns about foreign influence, the government has introduced measures to protect major television stations, such as TVN and Polsat, from hostile purchases, particularly from Russia.

⚖️ International Reactios

International organizations have expressed concern over Poland's media refom. The European Commission has scrutinized the media law and its potential impact on media freedom and plurals. Media watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders and the European Broadcasting Union, have criticized the government's control over public media and its implications for journalistic independence.

🗞️ Recent News

Poland's media laws continue to evolve, balancing between government control and efforts to ensure media independne.The ongoing reforms and international scrutiny highlight the complex dynamics shaping the country's media landsape.