Poland: Publication of draft censorship law restricting companies` right to censor content

The Draft of the law on the protection of freedom of speech on social networking websites is announced by the Polish Minister of Justice. According to the drafted law, the social networks would be forbidden to delete entries or block the accounts of Polish users if their content does not violate Polish law. Moreover, a five-person Freedom of Speech Council would be established to monitor the constitutional freedom of expression on social networking sites. The law also requests the social media websites to establish a system to appeal against their decision to block the account or delete the entry of a user. Such appeal shall be considered within 48 hours by the social network and the resulting decision may be further appealed to the Freedom of Speech Council, which shall take a decision within seven days.