An open letter to the authorities of the Republic of Poland and the leaders of political groups

We are addressing the following letter to you in connection with the proposed new additional encumbrance, imposed on the media operating on the Polish market, falsely referred to as a “contribution” and introduced under the pretense of support linked to COVID-19.

This is simply an extortion negatively impacting the Polish viewer, listener, reader and Internet user, as well as the Polish production, culture, entertainment, sports and the Polish media.

Implementing it would mean:

Asymmetrical and selective charging of entities is also outrageous. Additionally, an attempt to change the terms of a broadcasting license within its duration is unacceptable in a country governed by the rule of law.

Throughout the many years we have been operating in Poland, we have not been avoiding our duties and social responsibility. Each year, we pay increasing amounts of taxes, dues, and contributions (CIT, VAT, broadcasting charges, the organizations managing copyrights, licenses, frequencies, booking decisions, the VOD charge, etc.). Our charity organization supports the weakest groups within our society. We also support Polish citizens, as well as the Polish government, in the fight against the epidemic, both by providing information, as well as by contributing means worth hundreds of millions of Polish zloty.

Therefore, we strongly object to using the epidemic as an excuse to implement yet another new and particularly harsh charge on the media – a permanent charge, which will remain in force even after the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.

Signatories: