Gdańsk City Hall refused TV Republika permission to organize a studio at Westerplatte. The most popular television station in Poland at the moment wanted to broadcast the anniversary ceremonies marking the outbreak of World War II. Guests of Republika strongly criticized the decision of Mayor Dulkiewicz’s administration.
September 1, the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II and the ceremonies at Westerplatte, is approaching. Meanwhile, Gdańsk City Hall denied TV Republika the possibility of preparing a studio at Westerplatte, from where a special broadcast was to be aired.
The decision was commented on in the program Gość Dzisiaj by PiS MP Mariusz Błaszczak.
“This is how it was before 2015, so what we see is simply a return to the past,” said the former Minister of National Defense (MON).
“It comes back now in an even harsher form, striking at Polish patriotism, as seen in the attitude of those who organize exhibitions and call Wehrmacht soldiers “our boys.” I am aware that Poles were forcibly conscripted into the German army, but they were forced – it was not an adventure. It was a curse connected with what Germany did during World War II,” added the opposition politician.
Guests of Republika Wieczór hosted by Adrian Borecki also commented on the matter.
“These are strange decisions, because such ceremonies should be broadcast by various media. Hostility or other reasons should not play a role here,” said Paulina Matysiak (Razem). Łukasz Osmalak from Polska 2050 admitted that “there is no chemistry” between TV Republika and politicians from the Civic Coalition (KO). However, both agreed that the reasons for Gdańsk City Hall’s decision should be clarified.
A sharp opinion was expressed by Jarosław Sachajko.
“This is normal for that side. They are terrified that a large commercial television station has emerged, showing life as it really is,” commented MP Sachajko, adding that “media protection” did not work out for the ruling camp and they are trying to marginalize Republika. “But Westerplatte is not the private property of Ms. Dulkiewicz (…) This is plain rudeness,” he added.