Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) banned five Russian TV channels: RT (Russia Today), RT Documentary, RTR Planeta, Soyuz TV and Rossiya 24. The KRRiT stated that the ban was a response to Russia’s hostile attack on Ukraine and the dissemination of pro-kremlin propaganda. The decision meant the channels would no longer be allowed to be distributed by cable networks and satellite and internet platforms. The ban was made before the decision of the European Commission and the European Council to block access to Russian state-owned media within the bloc.

(International press freedom groups including IPI have expressed concerns about bans against RT and Sputnik. Read our full statement here)