The government is expected to finalize this decision through a formal regulation next week.
"The protection of Polish media from hostile takeovers, especially from Russia, is an urgent need and should be obvious to every patriot," Tusk said on the X social media platform on Wednesday.
He added: "Why, then, are PiS politicians so furious about this decision? Take a guess."
Voices from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party accused Tusk of exploiting the regulation for political purposes.
At a press conference, Tusk said that companies on the strategic list cannot be bought or acquired without government approval.
He argued that this move is not unprecedented, saying that similar protective measures exist in other European countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that "there will be zero tolerance in Poland for spreading disinformation."
He confirmed that TVN and Polsat would be officially listed next week, with further measures to protect cybersecurity and counter disinformation expected soon.
Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak highlighted the importance of media in contemporary geopolitics, equating their strategic value to that of Poland’s energy and fuel sectors.
"Democracy and the rule of law must defend themselves," Siemoniak wrote on X.
The outgoing US ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski, weighed in, emphasizing that "media pluralism is the foundation of democracy."
He acknowledged the need for governments to safeguard critical infrastructure from foreign interference but also highlighted the importance of free and diverse media.
The issue of foreign acquisitions has gained traction amid speculation that Hungarian broadcaster TV2, linked to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, might seek to acquire TVN.
Media expert Krzysztof Grzegorzewski suggested that the Polish government’s decision aims to prevent such a scenario, which he said could facilitate PiS-aligned influence over the station.
Tusk's plan also raises questions about compliance with European Union laws on business freedoms.
Legal expert Prof. Michał Romanowski said that Poland could justify the move under a 2015 law on foreign investment control, which allows restrictions for public order or national security.
However, he warned that the measure could lead to legal challenges from current or potential foreign investors, particularly under EU or US investment agreements.
TVN, owned by US-based Warner Bros. Discovery, and Polsat, part of a Polish media conglomerate, are among Poland’s largest private broadcasters. The strategic designation would grant the government veto power over any attempts to take over these networks.
The decision comes as Poland prepares for its 2025 presidential election, with officials expressing concerns about foreign interference in the country’s democratic processes.
Lower-house Speaker Szymon Hołownia said that while safeguarding independent media is essential, it is also crucial to prevent adversaries from destabilizing Poland through propaganda and disinformation.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info