WARSAW, December 27, Reuters - Poland's President Andrzej Duda said on Monday he vetoed a controversial media bill because he shared some Poles' worries about freedom of speech and that signing it into law would strain relations with Warsaw's key ally, the United States.
The legislation would have tightened rules around foreign ownership of media, and would affect the ability of news channel TVN 24, owned by U.S. media company Discovery Inc., to operate.
I believe that limiting the possibility of holding shares or shares in media companies is a good idea when it comes to foreign capital. I agree with the opinion that it should be introduced in Poland, but for the future, Duda said.
The bill and its amendments deal with entities already present in the market. There is also the issue of media pluralism, of freedom of speech. When making my decision, I took this element into serious consideration. Poland's ruling party, the Law and Justice PiS, has long said foreign media groups have too much power in the country and distort public debate.
Critics say that the government's moves against foreign media groups are part of an increasingly authoritarian agenda that has put Warsaw at loggerheads with the European Union.
Duda was elected with the support of the ruling nationalists, but his decision to veto the legislation may strain his relations with the party.
It may help Warsaw get rid of a row with the United States at a time of heightened tension in eastern Europe, as some countries see increased Russian assertiveness.