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Poland plans 'free speech' council in social media law

To limit power of platforms like Facebook to delete content

15 January, 20:19
(ANSA-AFP) - WARSAW, JAN 15 - Poland's government said Friday it was working on new legislation to limit the power of social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter to delete content or ban users. Under the draft rules, sites will only be allowed to do so if posts break Polish law. The proposed legislation provides for the creation of a five-member "freedom of speech council" tasked with reviewing complaints by social media users whose accounts have been blocked or had content removed. "The law will provide tools guaranteeing the basic freedoms and liberties of Polish citizens on the internet," Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro told reporters in Warsaw. The new legal framework would require "global players" to respect Polish law, he said, adding that "today social media decide for themselves what content will be censored." Parliament would appoint the members of the future council for six-year terms and politicians would not be eligible, he said. "The council will protect the constitutional right to exercise freedom of speech on all social media operating in Poland," the minister said. (ANSA-AFP).

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