Poland's broadcast regulator extends U.S.-owned broadcaster TV license

A logo of TVN24, a US-owned news channel, is pictured on a car parked in front of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) building in Warsaw, Poland September 22, 2021. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's broadcasting regulator on Wednesday extended an operating license for the popular U.S.-owned, anti-government news channel TVN24, which critics say is a prime target in ruling party efforts to quash media freedom.

The license of TVN24, which is Poland's most popular news channel, was set to expire on Sept. 26. Its fate was uncertain after the lower house of parliament passed a bill last month to strengthen a ban on firms from outside the European Economic Area controlling Polish broadcasters.