The Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences views with deep concern the recent action of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland in passing legislation on the ownership of media (the so-called Lex TVN). The bill represents a threat to Poland’s most highly watched and influential independent television channel. As an international organization of scholars, we recognize the upholding of democratic principles as representing the best of Polish traditions and the historical common bond between Poland and the United States, and we applaud the achievements that a free Poland has made since the ending of dictatorship in 1989. For these reasons, we note with alarm the potential of this proposed law to restrict media freedom and wide ranging public discourse in Poland, in contradiction of fundamental democratic values and practice, and express the hope that the Senate and President of the country will take measures to prevent its final approval.