February 11, 2021

Anna Murray 

Poland's commercial TV networks, radio stations, and newspapers participated in the unprecedented protest against a new proposed tax law on February 10. Both commercial TV and radio networks went off the air for 24 hours while newspapers blacked out their front pages. Daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza displayed the headline “MEDIA BEZ WYBORU (Media without choice)” on its black front page.

The new tax will impose a levy on advertising revenues of television and radio broadcasters, print outlets, and internet media firms. It is expected to take effect later in 2021 to finance Poland’s National Health Fund in promoting culture and national heritage. According to statements of Government Spokesman Piotr Muller, the ad tax will only charge large media companies at the rate between 2 and 15 percent of advertising revenue, based on their overall revenues and the type of advertising.

The ad tax comes at a bad time as most media companies suffer from shrinking advertising income and a loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics argue the ad tax will crush independent media accusing the government of installing it to limit freedom of expression and media pluralism.

Photo:Webshot.