Poland Defies U.S. and EU by Passing Contentious Media Law
- Parliament backs the bill despite fall of governing coalition
- The legislation targets Discovery Inc.’s Polish broadcaster
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Poland risks undermining relations with the U.S. and further antagonizing the European Union after the ruling party pushed through a controversial media law in 24 hours of political drama.
Parliament’s lower chamber voted 228-216 late on Wednesday to approve the legislation, which ostensibly is designed to protect broadcasters from non-European takeovers. Yet it targets Discovery Inc., the American owner of Poland’s largest private television network, and would force it to sell. The bill now goes to the Senate.