US Discovery Obtains Dutch License in Preparation for Poland's New Media Law

[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] According to the Associated Press on the 16th (local time), American media company Discovery has obtained a Dutch license to continue broadcasting TVN24 in Poland. This is a countermeasure in response to the Polish lower house passing a media law on the 11th that prohibits non-European companies from becoming the largest shareholders of Polish media companies.

Discovery is the largest shareholder of the TVN24 channel, and if the new media law is enacted, it will be forced to sell its shares in TVN24.

The TVN24 channel has shown a critical stance toward the nationalist-leaning right-wing Polish government. In response, the ruling coalition in Poland attempted to neutralize TVN24 through the new media law. The United States and the European Union (EU) have expressed concerns about Poland's new media law, citing violations of press freedom.

The broadcasting license for TVN24 expires on the 26th of next month. The Polish broadcasting regulatory authority has delayed approving the renewal of TVN24's license, and the new media law is expected to provide grounds for the authority to refuse the license renewal for TVN24.

Discovery plans to use the Dutch license if the Polish authorities ultimately do not renew TVN24's broadcasting license.

Kasia Kieli, Discovery's Head of Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said, "We do not want a situation where a Dutch license is necessary," adding, "We want to continue delivering reliable and fact-based news to viewers as a private news broadcaster in Poland and Eastern Europe." She also stated, "The Dutch license does not resolve the situation caused by the currently advancing media law," and "The future of TVN24 and press freedom in Poland remain in crisis."

Discovery argues that not renewing TVN24's broadcasting license constitutes discrimination. However, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki claims that prohibiting non-European companies from holding controlling shares in Polish media companies is for national security and sovereignty, and is not discrimination.

Meanwhile, there are also prospects that Polish President Andrzej Duda will exercise his veto power against the new media law. On the 15th, President Duda declared his commitment to protecting freedom of expression and fundamental property rights.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.