Advanced Television

Concern as Polish regulator censures US-owned channel

December 13, 2017

KRRiT, the Polish media regulator, has fined TVN24, a private broadcaster, 1.5 million złoty (€352,000) for coverage of anti-government protests outside parliament. The regulator said the coverage “propagated illegal activities and encouraged behaviour threatening security”.

US-owned TVN SA said it would appeal the decision and defended TVN24, which covered demonstrations last December over government proposals to restrict media access to parliament.

The fine adds to concerns about the Polish government’s assault on the media. Since the Law and Justice (PiS) came to office in 2015, the country has fallen in the Reporters Without Borders annual World Press Freedom Index from 18th out of 180 countries that year to 54th in 2017.

Categories: Articles, Policy, Regulation