The government of the “December 13 Coalition” is intensifying its attacks on independent and conservative journalists. Arrests, police raids on private homes under absurd pretexts, and prosecutorial harassment have become a brutal reality in Poland today. We cannot allow this issue to be swept under the rug. We are launching an information campaign—help us notify the U.S. Congress, European politicians, and international organizations about what is really happening in our country.
The current government is doing everything it can to silence those who hold it accountable. Examples from recent weeks and months are chilling and bring to mind the darkest days of the communist secret police. The arrest of investigative journalist Leszek Kraskowski, the scandalous police entry into the apartment of Tomasz Sakiewicz, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Polska and Telewizja Republika, under the pretext of a false alarm, and the continued harassment of journalists such as Piotr Nisztor and Tomasz Duklanowski are only the tip of the iceberg.
The goal is clear: to intimidate the Free Speech Zone community, destroy independent media, and create a chilling effect so that no one dares to report on scandals involving the current government.
Why Must We Act Internationally?
Donald Tusk’s team presents itself internationally as a defender of democracy and the rule of law. This is a false image that must be exposed. Politicians in Washington and Brussels, as well as international human rights organizations (such as the U.S. Helsinki Commission and the Committee to Protect Journalists), must learn the truth about the authoritarian tendencies of the current government in Warsaw. International pressure is something this government fears more than anything else.
That is why we have prepared a special report in English describing these shocking cases of press freedom violations. Now we need your help to ensure that this report reaches the desks of the world’s most important decision-makers.
How Can You Join the Campaign? It’s Very Simple!
We have prepared ready-made email address lists for American institutions, politicians, and foreign media outlets, as well as a prepared email message in English. It takes just three minutes to send an email that could make a difference.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1. Log in to your email account.
- 2. Copy the email addresses from the list below and paste them into the “To” field (or “BCC” if you are sending to multiple recipients at once).
- 3. In the subject line, paste the following text:
URGENT: Severe Violations of Press Freedom and Rule of Law in Poland
- 4. Copy the email text provided below and paste it into the body of the message. Remember to sign it with your full name at the bottom.
- 5. Click SEND.
Together, we can break this wall of silence. Let us show that there is no acceptance for the destruction of free media in Poland.
MATERIALS FOR DISTRIBUTION
1. Email address list (copy and paste into the “To” field). It is advisable not to paste more than a dozen addresses at a time.
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2. Email message text (copy and paste into the body of the email):
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you today as a deeply concerned Polish citizen to draw your urgent attention to an alarming crackdown on independent media and journalists currently taking place in Poland.
Under the current government, we are witnessing a systematic and unprecedented attack on conservative and independent news outlets. The fundamental democratic pillar of a free press is under severe threat.
Recent weeks have seen shocking actions carried out by the state apparatus. These include the unjustified arrest of investigative journalists, politically motivated police raids on the private homes of media executives (such as the recent raid on the home of Tomasz Sakiewicz, Editor-in-Chief of “Gazeta Polska” and Telewizja Republika), and the continuous legal and institutional harassment of reporters who dare to expose government irregularities.
Furthermore, this campaign of intimidation has escalated to include a wave of orchestrated false alarms (so-called “swatting”), which have been used as a pretext for forceful police interventions in independent editorial offices and the private homes of journalists. Shockingly, this exact tactic was recently used to justify the forced entry of state services into the family home of the President of the Republic of Poland.
Adding to this alarming picture are recent, unprecedented court and prosecutorial decisions that lift journalistic secrecy. By attempting to force reporters to reveal their confidential sources, the authorities are dealing a direct and devastating blow to the core of investigative journalism and the public’s right to know.
These actions are clearly designed to intimidate the journalistic community, silence opposition voices, and create a chilling effect across the country. Because the current Polish government often portrays itself internationally as a defender of democratic values, these authoritarian abuses are frequently overlooked abroad.
That is why international awareness and pressure are absolutely crucial right now. We cannot allow these violations to be swept under the rug.
I urge you to read the detailed report on these events, which provides concrete evidence of these abuses. You can find the full report in English here:
Please do not ignore this plea. We ask for your solidarity, your scrutiny, and your voice in defending the freedom of speech and the rule of law in Poland. The international community must hold the Polish government accountable for its actions against the free press.
Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
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