Censorship of content in public media – Trójka radio and ‘Twój ból jest lepszy niż mój’.
18.5.2020
Priority question for written answer P-003052/2020
to the Council
Rule 138
Łukasz Kohut (S&D)
Media freedom and pluralism are values enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In the conclusions of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council on media freedom and pluralism in the digital environment of 26 November 2013, the signatories agreed, inter alia, that a high level of media independence and pluralism is essential to democracy.
In the song ‘Twój ból jest lepszy niż mój’ (‘Your Pain is Better than Mine’), the Polish artist Kazik criticised the actions of Jarosław Kaczyński, the head of the ruling PiS party in Poland. His song won the listeners’ vote on Poland’s Trójka radio station (Polish Radio Three) and topped the charts on 15 May 2020. Immediately afterwards, the Trójka management annulled the vote and removed the information from the station’s website. In protest, many employees have left the station, including the host of the chart show.
In light of the above,I would like to ask the Council:
- 1.Is censorship of content broadcast on public media compatible with the values of media freedom and pluralism enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union?
- 2.In what way do public broadcasters in EU Member States other than Poland ensure that material received from Polish Television and Polish Radio in the context of cooperation within the European Broadcasting Union is impartial and respects the freedom of artistic expression?