Government · Warsaw
Polish lower house votes 419–19 to criminalise patostreaming, sending ban bill to the Senate
The Sejm approved legislation on 11 June that makes it a crime to broadcast or publish videos depicting serious crimes, animal abuse, or humiliating treatment online. The bill now moves to the Senate.
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In brief
The Sejm approved the patostreaming ban with 419 votes for, 19 against, and one abstention.
Disseminating footage of violent crimes, animal abuse, or degrading treatment for profit becomes a criminal offence. Content involving minors carries a sentence of three months to five years.
Artistic, educational, press, and scientific work, as well as actions taken in the public interest, are not covered by the ban.
The bill has been sent to the Senate. If passed without amendments, it will proceed to the president for final approval.
Daniel 'Magical' Zwierzyński appeared in parliament on 10 June at the invitation of MP Łukasz Mejza, prompting calls for an investigation into the issuance of his pass.
- 1 SeptPolsat News launches 'Nie dla patocelebrytów' campaign
- 17 JanMinistries begin drafting protections for minors online
- 10 JunCommission approves amendments to the bill
- 11 JunSejm passes the ban with 419 votes in favour
Overwhelming cross-party support
The bill passed with 419 votes in favour, 19 against, and one abstention. The governing coalition and the largest opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), both backed the legislation. All 178 voting PiS MPs supported it, while the Confederation party formed the core of the opposition.
- In favour
- 419
- Against
- 19
- Abstentions
- 1
Data from the article text
What the law forbids
The measure criminalises the online dissemination of content showing the commission of a serious offence, the abuse or killing of animals (including cephalopods), or degrading treatment of another person, even with that person's consent. Broadcasting such material in order to obtain a financial or personal gain is punishable by imprisonment. Offences involving a minor carry a penalty of three months to five years.
Several exceptions are carved out. The law does not apply to acts undertaken as part of artistic, educational, press, or scientific activity, or when the content serves the public interest.
Path to the vote
The push to regulate patostreaming gained momentum after Polsat News launched its "Nie dla patocelebrytów" (No to patho-celebrities) campaign in autumn 2024. On 17 January 2025 the outlet reported that the ministries of digital affairs, justice and education had started drafting protections for minors online. Both PiS and Civic Coalition later tabled their own bills. The Extraordinary Commission for Codification Changes approved amendments on 10 June, clearing the way for Thursday's vote.
The Magical visit and its fallout
A day before the vote, patostreamer Daniel "Magical" Zwierzyński was seen in the Sejm corridors. Reporters established that he had been invited by MP Łukasz Mejza. Equality minister Katarzyna Kotula said she would ask the Chancellery of the Sejm to explain how the pass was issued. Despite the controversy, Mejza voted in favour of the ban.
Next steps
The adopted text now goes to the Senate. If approved without changes, it will be presented to the president for signature.
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Sources and context
- Daniel 'Magical' Zwierzyński
- patostreamer who visited the Sejm on 10 June 2026 at the invitation of MP Łukasz Mejza
- Łukasz Mejza
- MP who invited the patostreamer to parliament and later voted for the ban
- Katarzyna Kotula
- minister for equality who requested an explanation for the issuance of a parliamentary pass to the patostreamer
- Michał Wójcik
- PiS MP who called for the merging of the two draft bills on patostreaming
- Monika Rosa
- MP who earlier appealed for spaces free from patho-fights and patho-celebrities
- Places
- Warsaw
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