Just a few months ago, several major companies, including IKEA Poland, pulled their advertising from the news station Republika amid accusations that the network’s commentary crossed the line into anti-Semitic rhetoric. But a recent incident at TVN24 has spurred Tomasz Sakiewicz, the editor-in-chief of Republika, to openly question these advertisers’ commitment to standing against anti-Semitism—no matter where it appears.
In January, Republika’s viewership surged by thousands, drawing new attention to the channel’s programming. Yet, a subsequent uproar from social media led to accusations that some commentators had aired anti-Semitic and otherwise discriminatory views. IKEA Poland announced the withdrawal of their ads from Republika after a complaint from an online user accused the station of promoting homophobia, racism, and xenophobia. In addition to IKEA, other prominent companies—Provident, Media Expert, Adamed Pharma, Pyszne.pl, Tarczyński, Carrefour, Kaufland, and Wedel—also opted out of advertising on Republika, prompting backlash from some social media users who called for boycotts of their own.
The discussion of anti-Semitism in Polish media took another twist during a recent broadcast of TVN24. Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was visibly rattled by an interview question from Monika Olejnik, one of the network’s leading journalists. Olejnik referenced an article in Tygodnik Powszechny, in which it was suggested that some members of the opposition coalition may take issue with Sikorski’s wife’s Jewish heritage.
The former minister’s response was brief and curt: “There seems to be a secular tradition that the first lady should be of Jewish origin.” With that, Sikorski left the studio, sparking a lively debate across Polish media outlets and social media.
Sikorski, known for his sharp wit and assertive personality, later took to social media, demanding higher journalistic standards from TVN and its parent company, Warner Bros./Discovery. He rejected Olejnik’s question as misleading and an insult to Polish society, which he argued is not anti-Semitic.
In the wake of this unfolding situation, Sakiewicz took the opportunity to directly address the companies that had previously boycotted Republika. “I have a question,” Sakiewicz wrote on the social platform X (formerly Twitter). “Will companies that boycotted Republika over our guests’ views continue advertising with a station whose star journalists engage in anti-Semitism?”