A journalist from TV Republika was reportedly denied entry to a press conference with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and a crisis meeting in Wrocław. The journalist also claimed that force was used against him during the incident. This has led Wojciech Brzozowski, the Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights (ZRPO), to intervene, addressing a letter to the Lower Silesian Governor Maciej Awiżeń.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about media access to government events. Earlier, in a letter dated July 8, 2024, the Ombudsman raised similar concerns with the head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, emphasizing the importance of proper communication between public authorities and diverse media outlets. He warned that restricting access to information could lead to increased disinformation and societal polarization.
This is not the first instance of such concerns. In January 2024, the Ombudsman also requested clarification from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage regarding reports of TV Republika journalists being blocked from press events. Such actions, according to the Ombudsman, might violate constitutional freedoms, including the right to express opinions and access information.
The Ombudsman’s office has received numerous complaints from TV Republika staff, who feel excluded from the national discourse. Some view the repeated exclusion of their journalists as a form of discrimination based on political views.
In his letter, Brzozowski requested clarification from Governor Awiżeń regarding the use of force and the journalist’s right to inform the public, especially given the context of the flood-related crisis meeting.