The US Department of State has expressed concern about the decision to fine the Polish national commercial broadcaster TVN for alleged biased reporting of demonstrations outside the country’s parliament (Sejm) last December.
In a press statement, Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said: “This decision appears to undermine media freedom in Poland, a close ally and fellow democracy. Free and independent media are essential to a strong democracy. As Secretary Tillerson has said, “Societies built on good governance, strong civil society, and an open and free media are more prosperous, stable, and secure.”
She added: “We remain confident in the strength and ability of Poland’s democracy to ensure Poland’s democratic institutions are fully functioning and respected”.
As previously reported by Broadband TV News, Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) imposed the fine of nearly PLN1.5 million (€352,000) on TVN earlier this week.
TVN is owned by the US’s Scripps Networks Interactive, soon to be taken over by Discovery Communications, and the demonstrations were covered by its news channel TVN24.
