Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro is set to become a commentator for TV Republika. The politician, who is currently in the United States, said it was an “honour” for him to take part in debates on what he described as “the largest conservative television network in Europe.”
On Sunday, TV Republika reported that former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro had left Hungary, where he had been granted political asylum, and travelled to the United States. The Law and Justice (PiS) politician later confirmed the information himself during an evening interview with the station.
During the interview, host Edyta Lewandowska read a statement issued by the Management Board of TV Republika and signed by its president, Tomasz Sakiewicz.
“Since its inception, TV Republika has stood guard over fundamental freedoms and civil rights, including the right to an independent judiciary. Since 13 December 2023, those governing Poland have repeatedly violated these principles, as exemplified by the unlawful detention of opposition MPs protected by parliamentary immunity. International organisations recognised the actions taken against one of them as a violation of the parliamentary immunity guaranteed by the Council of Europe. An independent court, in turn, described the actions directed at opposition politicians as characteristic of a crypto-dictatorship. In a democratic state, every citizen remains innocent until proven guilty by a final court ruling. We are not prejudging the guilt or innocence of Zbigniew Ziobro and other opponents of Donald Tusk’s government; however, we do observe serious irregularities and political pressure that may influence the justice system. Therefore, TV Republika will continue to defend fundamental civil rights and freedoms, provide support to individuals whose rights may be threatened, and inform audiences in Poland and abroad about the need to restore respect for the rule of law and democratic standards both in Poland and in other European Union member states.”
Ziobro to Become TV Republika Commentator
Immediately afterwards, Lewandowska announced that former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro would become a commentator for the station. Asked how he envisioned his cooperation with TV Republika and his continued political service to the country in this new role, the politician replied:
“It is an honour for me. I am very pleased that I will be able, on the largest conservative television network in Europe, to participate in debates and also present the subjective point of view of a commentator and participant in debates and disputes that you conduct here, always inviting representatives of many different sides. I believe that such a perspective, also from the American point of view, with the engagement and participation of the large Polish-American community, will carry value and significance for the station, and could be seen as strengthening the diversity of views and opinions presented daily on TV Republika.”
The PiS vice-president stressed that his cooperation with the media “is not without precedent.”
“That is because politicians from various political camps have, over the years, appeared in different media outlets as regular commentators, participants in discussion segments, or contributors to debate programmes on other television stations that have operated in Poland for many years,”
he said.
“So one could say that I am not the first to walk this path, but I am happy to do so because it is certainly a challenge, especially as it allows me to reach such a broad audience as the one TV Republika reaches,” he added.