Poland government passes contentious media law; defies US and EU

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.

The move has been criticized by U.S. senators, the State Department and the EU as an attempt to muzzle independent media. Before the