False emergency reports, what critics describe as absurd prosecutorial charges, fines, attempts to lift journalistic source protection, the use of handcuffs, and even pre-trial detention—these are among the most striking examples cited by conservative media outlets as evidence of pressure on independent journalists in Poland under the government of the December 13 coalition. A series of controversial cases, they argue, demonstrates a growing scale of actions directed against independent media.
Police intervention at Sakiewicz’s apartment
One of the most widely discussed incidents was the police intervention at the apartment of Tomasz Sakiewicz, president of TV Republika and editor-in-chief of Gazeta Polska, on May 15 this year. The incident occurred during a wave of false reports concerning alleged threats to life and public safety. Similar reports targeted not only Sakiewicz but also other individuals associated with the Strefa Wolnego Słowa media group.
In Sakiewicz’s case, police entered the premises following a report claiming that a child was attempting suicide. Sakiewicz’s assistant was present at the location. According to accounts presented by the broadcaster, officers did not identify themselves, and despite being informed that there was no child or person requiring assistance inside, the intervention ended with the woman being placed in handcuffs.
The assistant later told TV Republika that she had been treated like a criminal and announced legal action, arguing that her fundamental rights had been violated.
According to Michał Rachoń, TV Republika’s program director, there had been around thirty similar false alarms. These included reports of alleged terrorist attacks, individuals wearing suicide vests, assaults, dead bodies, and other extreme situations requiring responses from emergency services.
The controversy intensified when Interior Ministry spokesperson Karolina Gałecka referred to the alleged harassment of journalists as “supposed” harassment. Conservative media outlets argued that such language appeared to downplay a serious problem.
Journalistic privilege under pressure
One of the most high-profile recent cases involved Michał Rachoń. A court assessor decided to lift his journalistic privilege in an investigation concerning the publication of recordings of conversations between Roman Giertych and Donald Tusk, as well as between Giertych and Jarosław Kurski.
Rachoń declared that he would not reveal his sources. His legal representative described the decision as fundamentally flawed. The case has not yet been finally resolved.
At the same time, Tomasz Sakiewicz was summoned by prosecutors in a case involving Zbigniew Ziobro. Prosecutors sought information about his professional contacts with the former justice minister. Sakiewicz invoked journalistic privilege and argued that the source of the information feared for their safety. Prosecutors, however, maintained that he was acting not as a journalist but as a company executive and imposed a procedural fine after he refused to answer questions.
Leszek Kraskowski detained
One of the most serious cases concerns investigative journalist Leszek Kraskowski, known for publishing material about Roman Giertych and the Polnord affair.
Kraskowski was placed in pre-trial detention for three months. Prosecutors accused him of possessing firearms and ammunition without authorization and of making threats against a police commander in Piaseczno. The journalist denied all charges.
The case has generated significant controversy because one of the most severe preventive measures available under Polish law was applied to a working journalist.
Particularly troubling, according to his supporters, were reports concerning access to legal defense. Kraskowski allegedly requested contact with a lawyer after his detention but was unable to obtain it for several days. His attorney reportedly learned of the detention hearing only shortly before it began, leaving little opportunity to review the case files and prepare a defense.
The case attracted the attention of the Association of Polish Journalists (SDP). Its president, Jolanta Hajdasz, warned that if such treatment of journalists becomes accepted as normal practice, freedom of speech and democracy could be seriously endangered.
Lawsuits against Piotr Nisztor
Journalist Piotr Nisztor reported in Gazeta Polska and on TV Republika’s program Ściśle Jawne about political and business networks surrounding the state-owned mining company KGHM Polska Miedź. For these reports, he received the Watergate Award from the Association of Polish Journalists.
Subsequently, KGHM filed a lawsuit against him.
According to Nisztor, a court in Legnica refused to hear all defense witnesses while simultaneously ordering him to issue an apology and pay PLN 30,000 to KGHM. The ruling is not yet final.
Nisztor has emphasized that the court nevertheless acknowledged that he had exercised due journalistic diligence and that key information regarding the reported connections was accurate.
He has also referred to legal proceedings connected to the so-called “tape scandal,” noting that despite an earlier discontinuation of the case, a subsidiary indictment was later filed by Roman Giertych, acting on behalf of several politicians associated with the Civic Platform.
A third issue concerns allegations that Nisztor gave false testimony regarding fragments of recordings published by Onet. He has strongly denied the accusation, arguing that the recording may have been edited and that investigators did not possess the complete original material.
Tomasz Duklanowski: from the envelope scandal to a laptop and microphone foam cover
Another frequently cited case involves journalist Tomasz Duklanowski, known for reporting on politicians from western Poland, including Stanisław Gawłowski and the so-called envelope scandal involving Tomasz Grodzki.
An investigation was reopened concerning allegations that Duklanowski had unlawfully appropriated a laptop, cables, and a used microphone foam cover. According to the journalist, the laptop had been returned and some of the equipment was later found at Radio Szczecin. Although the case had previously been discontinued, it was reopened after management changes at the institution.
Duklanowski stated that he viewed the move as retaliation for years of reporting on politicians linked to Civic Platform and argued that its purpose was to intimidate and punish him for publishing inconvenient stories.
Separately, he was found liable in a private defamation case brought by Tomasz Grodzki concerning reports about the alleged envelope scandal.
Charges against Adrian Klarenbach
TV Republika journalist Adrian Klarenbach has also faced legal difficulties. Prosecutors charged him in connection with the Collegium Humanum investigation, alleging irregularities related to obtaining a diploma. Klarenbach maintains that he never received such a diploma.
He was also among the journalists whose home was visited by police following a report that someone at the location was allegedly threatening self-harm.
Investigation into the CPAC conference
Tomasz Sakiewicz was also summoned by prosecutors regarding the organization of the CPAC Poland conference in Jasionka. TV Republika was the event’s principal organizer.
The conference was considered politically and internationally significant because it strengthened ties between conservative groups on both sides of the Atlantic. Sakiewicz argued that the prosecutors’ actions constituted retaliation for publicizing what he describes as unlawful actions committed by the December 13 coalition government.