European Union Commission Questions Poland’s New Media Law; EU to Take Legal Action

Poland recently passed a media law that stir the European Union's attention. The commission is ready to take legal actions if anything gets out of hand.

According to Yahoo News, after Poland's right-mannered government passed a controversial media law, on Sunday the EU's powerful executive announced it would deliberate the state of the rule of law in Poland. The changes made by the government to the judiciary and media in Poland made the watchdogs and rights activists. This step done by the EU Commission will be the first to possibly strengthen the Union and discipline the 28 states it covers.

Time reported that the worst Poland can get is that the country might be denied of its voting right in the EU Council. Günther Oettinger, a senior E.U. communications official, said the Polish government might be under monitoring after the questionable law was passed by the government. There are many 'solid grounds' for E.U. to appeal its so-called rule-of-law mechanism to Poland. The 'rule-of-law' mechanism is about EU putting the countries who shows "systematic threat" to the Union to be denied of some pros of being in the Union.

The directors of Poland's four TV channels have resigned to show their protest against the law last Saturday, said BBC. Though the law is not in effect yet, many are saying that the president will approve it this week. The law will replace the current media regulators and direct control will be done by the treasury minister. European watchdogs are concerned with the changes made saying it will put the largely watched TVP and Polish Radio, which is also followed by a large audience, being controlled by someone whom is close with the ruling party. The public broadcasters will be re-labelled as "national cultural institutes".

Not only in the media a law was passed but concerning the judiciary, another law was passed. Poland also announced debated changes to its constitutional court last week. The new law states that in order to pass most of its ruling, it necessitates 15-strong court to reach a two-thirds majority with at least 13 members present. This new law will ultimately destroy the check and balance made by the different stems of the democratic government. 

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European Union Commission, Poland, rule-of-law mechanism, TV channels, polish government, media law, Poland new media law

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