We take independence extremely seriously. First, we provide a platform for genuine debate, and second, we offer substantive criticism even of those with whom we most often agree. That is what honest journalism is all about, writes Katarzyna Gójska in Gazeta Polska.
In a democracy, journalists act on behalf of citizens in holding those in power accountable. Naturally, they have their own views, but they should also be capable of offering fair criticism both of those whose worldview is far removed from their own and of those much closer to them ideologically. That is how it should work, and in many civilized parts of the world, that is exactly how it does work.
In Poland, however, a large portion of the media is simply an element of the post-communist system, while some outlets, additionally financed from abroad, represent the interests of their owners. I do not know how naive one must be to believe that a media company whose center of interests lies outside Poland, and which is directly funded by state-owned companies of a foreign country, would act against the objectives of its sponsor and decision-maker.
Many countries prevent such practices because they understand that political competition takes place not only among politicians but, above all, in the public sphere. Vital interests of the Republic of Poland can be undermined through skillful manipulation of public opinion, influencing the decisions of our state authorities or even shaping electoral preferences through the media.
This may seem obvious, yet in Poland it is greatly underestimated by both citizens and politicians.
TV Republika stands entirely outside these patterns. It is not part of the post-communist establishment; on the contrary, it actively opposes it. Nor is it dependent on an external owner; instead, it investigates and exposes such dependencies. It can therefore be said that we stand in opposition to all the dominant patterns present in our public debate, because we take independence exceptionally seriously.
First, we provide an opportunity for genuine discussion, and second, we offer substantive criticism even of those with whom we most often agree. That is what honest journalism means.
This is precisely why we have become the target of relentless attacks by what we view as the crypto-dictatorship of Donald Tusk’s government. At the same time, we are often looked upon unfavorably by those who expect us to applaud them unconditionally, even when they make serious mistakes or simply mislead the public.
Well, no. We will not yield either to attacks from those in power or to the murmurs of dissatisfaction from anyone else. That is what independence means.