The European Parliament has condemned what it describes as “the continuing deterioration of media freedom and the rule of law in Poland”.
The resolution it adopted, with 502 votes in favour, 149 against, and 36 abstentions, took place one day after the plenary debate with Commission VP Vera Jourova, Commissioner Reynders and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anze Logar on behalf of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council.
In its comments on media freedom, the Parliament said: “Following previous occasions where Parliament has expressed its concern over the reshaping of the public broadcaster into a pro-government organisation, MEPs criticise “in the strongest possible terms” the ‘Lex TVN’ bill adopted by the Sejm. They describe it as “an attempt to silence critical content and a direct attack on media pluralism” that violates EU and international law”.
The EP also expressed “alarm that the state-controlled oil company PKN Orlen has acquired the Polska Press Group before the outcome of the Polish Ombudsman’s appeal against the Competition Authority has been announced”.
It concluded its statement on media freedom by saying: “Parliament is already working on a report relating to much needed “anti-SLAPP” (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) rules, MEPs underline, calling on the Commission to deliver on the Media Freedom Act and ensure the Audiovisual Media Services Directive is properly implemented”.
