Republika TV lodged a formal complaint yesterday, highlighting the current administration’s attempts to stifle journalistic critique and hinder legal media operations.
Republika TV has long been a thorn in the current government’s side. Politicians from Prime Minister Tusk’s party consistently avoid engaging with journalists from the Free Speech Zone’s station, and the Republika TV team is regularly barred from attending crucial events involving Tusk and his ministers. Tomasz Sakiewicz, the CEO of Republika TV, took a stand yesterday by filing an official complaint with the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT).
Republika TV Blocked from Government Conferences
The complaint to the KRRiT chairman details how the Government Information Centre habitually fails to process properly submitted accreditation requests for events involving Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Republika TV argues that denying journalists access to direct sources of information, such as the prime minister’s conferences, constitutes a serious violation of freedom of expression.
“Republika TV has submitted a complaint to the National Broadcasting Council against the actions of the Polish Government Information Centre, which obstructs our journalists from performing their duties. By preventing Republika TV journalists from attending the prime minister’s press conferences, Donald Tusk’s officials are breaking press laws and undermining the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Polish Constitution. (…) We will tirelessly defend basic rights and civil liberties,”
Jarek Olechowski wrote on X.
❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️@RepublikaTV złożyła do @KRRiT__ skargę na działania @KPRM_CIR które uniemożliwia naszym dziennikarzom pracę. Urzędnicy @donaldtusk nie wpuszczając dziennikarzy Republiki na konferencje prasowe szefa rządu łamią prawo prasowe oraz niszczą wolność słowa gwarantowaną… pic.twitter.com/QaDnlxgQ2H
— Jarek Olechowski (@OlechowskiJarek) July 30, 2024