(Bloomberg) -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk vowed to prevent a potential takeover of two private television stations by unwanted suitors, pledging to defend the European Union nation’s media against outside interference.
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.’s TVN SA and Telewizja Polsat SA will be added to a list of strategic companies, which already includes an array of state-owned firms, amid speculation of a takeover from “the East,” the premier said Wednesday. This means that any acquisition of such an entity would need cabinet approval.
“We want to protect our country and the EU against attempts to influence our media,” Tusk told reporters in Warsaw. “TVN and Polsat will be placed on the list of strategic firms that are protected against an aggressive and dangerous takeover from the point of view of Polish interests.”
The government has been critical of how the previous ruling Law & Justice party was effectively able to take control of Poland’s state broadcasters to use in electoral campaigning against Tusk. Officials have also expressed serious concern about Russian influence on the eastern flank of NATO amid the Kremlin’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Tusk said that entities based to the East of Poland have an interest in takeovers or otherwise gaining influence over Polish media. He didn’t identify any such companies or their countries of origin.
Despite its potential impact on US-based Discovery, the move was backed by the outgoing US ambassador to Warsaw, Mark Brzezinski.
“In the face of global challenges related to harmful foreign interference, it’s important for governments to take action to protect its strategic infrastructure from potential national security threats,” he wrote on social media platform X.
Local website Onet.pl reported this week that a TVN purchase by an investment vehicle controlled by a Hungarian entity could be imminent, potentially benefiting politicians from former Law & Justice due to links with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Newsweek reported in October that Czech PPF Group NV, Hungary’s Jozsef Vida and an unidentified US broadcaster have submitted offers to buy TVN and that the deal could close near 5 billion zloty ($1.2 billion). PPF and Vida have denied any interest.
A representative for Warner Bros. in Poland didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Polsat’s press service declined to comment.
--With assistance from Wojciech Moskwa.
(Updates with comment from outgoing US ambassador in the sixth paragraph.)
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