Poland broadcasting regulator’s fine against private broadcaster TVN SA is unjustified and disproportionate, says OSCE media freedom representative

VIENNA, 14 December 2017 – The decision by Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) to impose a fine of 1.48 million Polish Złotys (€352,000) on one of the country’s leading private independent broadcasters, TVN SA, for coverage by one of its channels, TVN24, of opposition demonstrations in Warsaw in December 2016 is unjustified and disproportionate, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir said today.

“TVN24’s coverage of the December 2016 protests in Warsaw was clearly about an issue of public interest – opposition and public responses to the Polish government’s proposals to limit the media’s access to the Polish parliament, the Sejm,” said Désir. “There appears no justification for the finding that TVN24’s coverage breached the law and in any case the huge fine levied is clearly disproportionate to the alleged violation.”

According to KRRiT, TVN24’s coverage of events between 16 and 18 December 2016 violated the prohibition on “promoting illegal activities and encouraging behaviour that threatens national security” in the Polish law on broadcasting, though KRRiT did not offer details of specific infringements.

“This decision is particularly worrying as having a broadcasting regulator truly independent of government is absolutely necessary for a free and pluralistic media environment to exist and flourish,” added Désir.

TVN24, which is owned by the American media company Scripps Network Interactive, denies that it was “creating an atmosphere of support for the events” and has indicated that it would appeal the fine.