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A30 world news
Diaranson 11 augustus 2021

Poles protest bill that would silence U.S-owned TV network

the media as private outlets
have either folded or come
under the control of his al-
lies.

Poland’s ruling party has
already turned tax-fund-
ed public TV into a party
mouthpiece. Lately it has
been seeking greater control
over private media, with the
state oil company buying a
large private media group last
year.

TVN represents the larg-
est-ever U.S. investment in
Poland. The company was
bought for $2 billion by an-
other U.S. company, Scripps
Networks Interactive, which
was later acquired by Discov-
ery.

Last week a bipartisan Con-
(AP) — Poles demon- of TVN. In front of parlia- caster “to enable government gressional group expressed
strated nationwide Tues- Poland’s ruling party, Law ment in the capital of War- allies to acquire TVN.” its increasing concern “about
day against a bill widely and Justice, has long sought saw, Donald Tusk, a former the ongoing attacks on the
viewed as a effort by the to nationalize the media, top European Union official Poland fell this year to 64th of free press, independent ju-
country’s nationalist rul- claiming it is for national se- who is now the leader of the 180 countries in the group’s diciary and the rule of law in
ing party to silence an in- curity reasons. It says the law opposition party Civic Plat- World Press Freedom In- Poland.”
dependent, U.S.-owned would bring Poland into line form, described free media as dex, its lowest-ever ranking.
television broadcaster with other European coun- a pillar of democracy worth It was in 18th place in 2015, Former Polish foreign and
that is critical of the gov- tries, including France and fighting for and accused the the year Law and Justice took defense ministers wrote an
ernment. Germany, which limit for- government of trying to “re- power. open letter to the Polish gov-
eign ownership in the media. turn to communist patterns.” ernment last week expressing
Technically, the bill would It cites the risk of media being TVN24 is the leading source fears the proposed legisla-
prevent non-European own- controlled by hostile powers On Wednesday parliament is of independent broadcast tion could weaken ties with
ers from having controlling like Russia and China. set to debate and vote on the news for many Poles. Dis- the U.S., which has troops
stakes in Polish media com- bill. covery had already felt en- stationed in Poland and sells
panies. In practice, it would Prime Minister Mateusz dangered as the National Poland military equipment.
push American company Morawiecki said Tuesday The bill was introduced last Broadcasting Council, a
Discovery Inc. to sell its con- the law isn’t directed against month and appears to have a Polish state body, has so far Jean-Briac Perrette, president
trolling stake in TVN, a net- anyone but seeks to protect high chance of passing. Jaro- failed to renew the broadcast and CEO of Discovery Inter-
work with many channels Polish society, alleging that slaw Gowin, who heads a license for TVN24, which national, called the planned
that operates the all-news sta- foreign entities are trying to small party in Poland’s right- expires in September. vote on the bill concerning,
tion TVN24 and has a flag- influence Poland’s debate on wing coalition government, warning that “an unpredict-
ship evening news program COVID-19 vaccinations. opposed the bill and was dis- The bill’s fate is being able regulatory framework
watched daily by millions. missed from the government watched as a key test of media should be very concerning
“It is through the media that just as the protests started freedom and democracy. for all potential investors in
At stake in the bill’s passage other countries influence our Tuesday. the market.”
is Poland’s reputation for social life,” he said at a news Critics fear it would be a large
media freedom and as a place conference. Reporters Without Borders step bringing Poland closer The development comes as
for foreign companies to do urged Polish lawmakers to to the situation in Hungary, Discovery is set to merge next
business. The proposal is al- Large crowds chanted “Free reject the legislation, accus- where authoritarian Prime year into a mega-company
ready straining relations with media!” in dozens of cit- ing the ruling party of target- Minister Viktor Orbán has with AT&T’s WarnerMedia.
the United States, a key ally. ies and towns in support ing the independent broad- gained near-total control over

Russia, Central Asian allies hold drills near Afghanistan

(AP) — Troops from 12 miles) north of the Ta- interaction to ensure security Central Asian nations — Ka- actions will help strengthen
Russia, Tajikistan and jik border with Afghanistan, and maintain stability in the zakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the military cooperation and
Uzbekistan on Tuesday saw the troops practice action Central Asian region.” Tajikistan — are members protect our countries from
wrapped up their drills against invading militants. As of the Moscow-dominated military aggression,” he said.
intended to simulate a part of the exercise, Russian It noted that Russian troops security pact of several ex- The drills in Tajikistan fol-
joint response to potential Su-25 attack jets struck mock in Tajikistan practiced us- Soviet nations, the Collective lowed last week’s exercise
security threats coming targets imitating militant ve- ing new weapons during the Security Treaty Organization. in Uzbekistan that involved
from Afghanistan. hicles. drills, including new sniper Russia’s Central Military 1,500 Russian and Uzbek
rifles and flame throwers. District chief, Col.-Gen. Al- troops and 200 military ve-
The war games that began last The Russian military said exander Lapin, noted that the hicles. As part of the maneu-
week involved 2,500 Russian, the maneuvers took place Russia, which has a military exercise was conducted amid vers, four Russian Tu-22M3
Tajik and Uzbek troops and “against the background of base in Tajikistan, has pledged the exacerbation of the situ- long-range bombers flew
about 500 military vehicles. the destabilization of the to offer military assistance to ation in Afghanistan raising from their base in western
situation in neighboring Af- its ally and other ex-Soviet “the threat of penetration of Russia to strike mock mili-
The drills, which were held ghanistan, in order to work Central Asian nations if they radical terrorist groups” into tant camps at the Termez fir-
at Harb-Maidon firing range out the issues of repelling face incursions of militants Central Asian nations. ing range in Uzbekistan near
about 20 kilometers (about possible threats and practical from Afghanistan. Three “I am sure that future joint the border with Afghanistan.