В опубликованном сегодня письме, адресованному Премьер-министру Польши, Комиссар Совета Европы по правам человека Дуня Миятович призывает правительство обеспечить, чтобы два законопроекта, касающиеся «налога на рекламные доходы СМИ» и «защиты свободы слова пользователей социальных сетей» соответствовали европейским стандартам в области прав человека, в частности, касающимся свободы выражения мнений, свободы СМИ и плюрализма, а также права на уважение частной жизни.
Далее на английском языке.
The Commissioner is concerned that the tax proposed in the first draft bill would, in practice, lead to the suffocation of independent media outlets, thereby limiting the public’s ability to choose the content of their interest and unduly restricting their freedom to receive information. She therefore urges the Polish authorities to ensure that any measure adopted is not discriminatory, whether in letter or in practice, and does not trample on media pluralism, in line with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. “It must not have the effect of stifling a sector of society whose work is so essential to ensuring an open and diverse media environment”, added the Commissioner.
Regarding the draft law on ‘protection of freedom of speech of social media users’, which envisages the establishment of a body to review appeals against internet companies’ decisions on access to content, the Commissioner expresses concern about the independence of the body, the overly broad definition of what constitutes illegal content coupled with persisting gaps in the national framework regarding hate speech, and the lengthy data retention obligation introduced by the bill. She urges the Polish authorities to ensure that any measures to regulate the scope of social media companies’ decision-making over online content are based on clear and predictable provisions, pursue a legitimate aim, and are necessary in a democratic society. She further points out that suspicionless mass retention of communications data is contrary to the rule of law, and that effective remedies should be available against all decisions related to user content and data.