Instytut Myśli Schumana (Eng.: Schuman Thought Institute) has issued a statement strongly protesting against the authorities’ actions targeting Tomasz Sakiewicz, editor-in-chief of TV Republika, and the station itself. The organization describes these actions as “unlawful harassment” and warns that freedom of speech in Poland is under threat.
For several days, TV Republika and its journalists have been subjected to a series of false alarms and police interventions. Officers, among other things, appeared at the home of the station’s CEO, Tomasz Sakiewicz, where they handcuffed his assistant.
Instytut Myśli Schumana (Eng.: Schuman Thought Institute) leaves no doubt about its position. “On behalf of Insytut Myśli Schumana (…) we protest against what we consider to be unlawful harassment directed at Editor-in-Chief Tomasz Sakiewicz and TV Republika. We are outraged by the authorities’ actions in this matter,” the statement reads.
The organization draws attention to disturbing phenomena observed since the end of 2023.
“Symptoms of the threat to Freedom of Speech”
In the statement, the Institute notes that the situation has been a source of concern for some time. “We see disturbing symptoms that freedom of speech in Poland is under threat,” the authors write. They emphasize that the events of recent days, as well as others observed since 13 December 2023, that is, since the swearing-in of the current government, are deeply alarming to the Institute’s community.
The organization recalls the fundamental values on which Poland and Europe were built. “The values on which Poland and Europe were built are Christian values based on freedom, including freedom of speech and freedom of the media. It is therefore impossible to speak of these values, as the government attempts to do, while simultaneously violating them,” the document states.
A quote from Schuman
The statement also includes a reference to Robert Schuman’s own words on his vision of Europe. The authors cite the Institute’s patron:
“My idea is not to merge countries into a super-state. Our European countries are a historical reality. From a psychological point of view, it would be impossible and unreasonable to eliminate them. Their diversity is a good thing, and there is no sense in removing, leveling, or unifying it.”
In this context, the Institute levels a serious accusation. “We interpret the actions of the state authorities in Schuman’s optics as an assault on the National Community, the State, and democracy, which will most likely serve the building of a super-state and, consequently, lead to the destruction of the Community of European Nations envisioned by Schuman,” the statement reads. According to the authors, deviating from Schuman’s ideas in shaping the European Community also endangers Polish statehood.
Support for Independent Media
In its statement, the Institute openly expresses solidarity with the attacked journalists:
“We also wish to express our support to all journalists and authorities of TV Republika, especially Editor-in-Chief Tomasz Sakiewicz, as well as to other media striving for truth in their work, for this important service to the Republic of Poland.”
The organization describes the government’s actions against independent media, and particularly against TV Republika and Tomasz Sakiewicz, as “unacceptable.”
The statement ends with a clear declaration: “The community of the Schuman Thought Institute has a commitment to Schuman to defend truth and uphold the law. You can count on our support,” the authors assure in the document addressed to editor Tomasz Sakiewicz, the authorities of TV Republika, and other independent media.