Opposition lawmakers in Poland, upset that the conservative ruling party plans to limit reporters’ access to lawmakers, protested Friday in the lower house of parliament, singing the national anthem and chanting “Free media!” and “Democracy!”
In the 27 years of Poland’s democracy, journalists have been common in the halls of Parliament. Although they are banned from the assembly hall during sessions, they have been able to mingle freely with politicians and grab them for interviews.
The ruling Law and Justice party, which is under tough European Union scrutiny for changes deemed anti-democratic by opponents, plans new rules starting Jan. 1 that would drastically limit reporters’ access in Parliament.
TVN24 broadcast the commotion in Parliament Friday with a message on the screen: “We will not be able to show this” after Jan. 1.
Adam Bodnar, the country’s human rights commissioner, has also criticized the plan, saying the constitution guarantees the public access to public information and journalists provide that to citizens.
Seweryn Blumsztajn, a journalist and dissident under communism who attended a separate protest Thursday, called it a “return to communist-era practices.”

Source: Arab News