Polish news station TVN24, which is owned by Discovery Networks, has obtained a Dutch broadcasting licence which would enable it to remain on air if its local licence isn’t renewed.
TVN24’s current licence expire next month. The new licence would allow the broadcaster to stay on air under European Union rules.
Last week the Polish government narrowly won a vote to ban non-European companies controlling Polish broadcasters.
The law could force Discovery to sell its Polish operation, TVN, which owns TVN24.
“In the event the (Polish) National Broadcasting Council does not renew the TVN24 licence…the Dutch license will allow us, in accordance with Polish and EU law, to continue broadcasting TVN24,” said Kasia Kieli, president for Discovery in EMEA.
“This licence does not in any way solve the situation we have with the new law passed in the government. The future of TVN and freedom of press in Poland is still at risk,” added Kieli.
“The rule of law and free media underpin any democracy, and we will continue to strongly defend TVN’s role as the country’s leading independent news provider.”
