Another chapter in the quest to find ways of attacking the free media—and, specifically, of striking at TV Republika—was how Law and Justice MP Krzysztof Szczucki described the prosecutor’s moves over an alleged offence committed by TV Republika. He recalled the sequence of attacks in recent weeks.
On Monday evening, the public was shown the complete set of tapes obtained by TV Republika journalists. The central figure is attorney Roman Giertych. In conversations with Paweł Graś, Leszek Czarnecki, and even Donald Tusk, the lawyer raises a host of issues tied closely to political back-room dealings. Most of the recordings date from 2019, before the parliamentary elections.
The publication is distinctly unwelcome to those in power—putting it mildly. According to Interior Ministry spokesman Jacek Dobrzyński, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau has filed a notice with the prosecutor’s office over the alleged disclosure of classified information and the dissemination of material from a preparatory investigation.
Journalists and politicians warn that this is yet another attempt to shut down TV Republika.
“There are plenty of serious proceedings the prosecutor’s office should handle more efficiently instead of getting involved with Polish media,” Krzysztof Szczucki said on TV Republika’s air.
In his view, “this is another instalment of the effort to attack free media—and specifically to strike at TV Republika.”
“At the same time, proceedings are underway in the Sejm against Maciej Świrski, chairman of the National Broadcasting Council. A vote is coming soon, and the majority will probably decide to bring him before the State Tribunal,” he reminded, adding that “this, too, may be motivated by a wish ultimately to take TV Republika’s broadcasting licence away.”
“Every so often we hear threats from various politicians directed at your station. I’m not surprised that this is yet another round in the fight against TV Republika,” Szczucki remarked.
“Under normal circumstances, I would say this: ‘The prosecutor’s office exists to look into such matters; the station is rightly convinced that no crime has been committed, so the case will be discontinued.’ But that would be under normal circumstances,” the MP cautioned.
“Under Adam Bodnar’s prosecutor’s office—subordinate to those in power and carrying out tasks from the government headquarters—the proceedings will probably be steered so as to prove, at all costs, that TV Republika acted improperly,” he concluded.