The Discovery-owned Polish national commercial broadcaster TVN has obtained a Dutch licence for its news channel TVN24.
The development marks the latest stage in the so-called ‘Lex TVN’ dispute between the Polish authorities that could result in Discovery being forced to exit Poland.
TVN24, which is the most popular news channel in Poland and celebrated its 20th anniversary last week, has been unsuccessfully trying to have it licence renewed for some time.
In a statement, the management board of TVN said:
“The most important mission of TVN24 is to provide viewers with constant access to independent, fact-based and verified information. Considering the unjustified suspension of the decision on the renewal of the TVN24 licence by the National Broadcasting Council for one and a half years, we must be ready for any eventuality. Therefore, in July this year. a Dutch broadcasting licence has been applied for and has been granted. If the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) does not issue a decision to extend the TVN24 licence by September 26, further broadcasting will be possible, in accordance with Polish and EU law, by the Dutch licence. However, we still believe that we will not be forced to take advantage of it. We meet all the conditions to obtain a licence in Poland, so we appeal for it to be granted immediately.
“We would also like to emphatically emphasise that obtaining a licence for the TVN24 channel in the Netherlands in no way solves the problem we are dealing with in connection with the amendment to the Act on Radio and Television passed by the Sejm. In its present shape, it hits all our channels, including TVN, undermining freedom of speech, media independence and private property. We again urge the authorities to reject this harmful amendment. We are also fully determined to defend the right of our viewers and all Poles to free media and free choice”.
