The American television broadcaster Discovery Inc. says it has obtained a Dutch license allowing it to continue airing its independent news channel TVN24 in Poland.
The Polish state broadcasting organization refuses to renew TVN24's license, which expires on September 26. The independent channel is watched daily by millions of Poles. The channel has occasionally published articles critical of the Polish nationalist government.
Separately, the Polish government is trying to force Discovery to sell its majority stake in its Polish network.
“This new Dutch license does not resolve the situation we have with the Polish government in any way,” says Kasia Kieli, Discovery’s general manager. “The future of TVN and press freedom in Poland is still at risk.”
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s government denies this and says it no longer wants companies from outside Europe to have controlling interests in Polish media companies.
The bill has been condemned by the US, the European Union, and many Poles as an attack on media freedom, and Poland is under international pressure not to approve it.
The company said it would only use the Dutch license, granted under European Union regulations, if the Polish national broadcasting council does not renew TVN24’s license.