Poland falls in the World Press Freedom Index

Poland took the 54^th spot in the latest press freedom index compiled by the Reporters Without Borders, representing a drop by seven spots from last year, placing below such countries as Botswana, Romania, Tonga or Burkina Faso, and beating Hungary, Japan or Greece. Norway, Sweden and Finland took the first three spots, while Eritrea, Turkmenistan and North Korea were last. The report criticizes the current Law and Justice (PiS) government of trying to control public media and influence privately owned entities, by cancelling its subscriptions by state-owned agencies and withdrawing ads by the state-owned companies. “Concern is now focused on a proposed law to “re-Polishize” the country’s press by setting a limit on the level of foreign capital in Polish media companies. Alarmed to see a European Union member flouting fundamental EU values, the European Commission launched a procedure in January 2016 that is designed to ensure respect for the rule of law,” the report said. According to the RSF, media freedom and pluralism are in jeopardy in Poland. The index is calculated based on the survey responses, taking into the considerations such issues as pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, infrastructure and abuses.