In light of the planned presidential debate scheduled for May 12, to be organized by TVP S.A. in liquidation, TVN, and Polsat, Telewizja Republika—the largest news station in Poland—has declared its readiness to co-host and broadcast the debate, Tomasz Sakiewicz announced on platform X. Maciej Świrski, chairman of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), emphasized that all news stations must be allowed to participate in the broadcast, not just TVN and Polsat. Otherwise, Article 54, paragraph 1 of the Constitution would be violated: “Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom to express opinions and to acquire and disseminate information.”
Will There Be a Response?
Less than a week before the first round of presidential elections—on May 12 at 8:00 PM—a debate is set to take place in the headquarters of the unlawfully taken-over Polish Television (TVP), organized by the so-called “neo-TV”, TVN, and Polsat.
Tomasz Sakiewicz has officially expressed Telewizja Republika’s readiness to co-organize and host the announced debate.
“In connection with the announcement of a presidential debate on May 12 by TVP S.A. in liquidation, TVN, and Polsat, Telewizja Republika—the largest news station in Poland—declares its readiness to co-organize and broadcast the debate,” he wrote on X.
He added:
“Viewers expect a real confrontation of views during the election campaign. It is our duty to provide that.”
Will this proposal be taken seriously? Judging by the behavior of the same broadcasters during the organization of the first presidential debate in Końskie, there are reasonable doubts as to whether the organizers will take into account the millions of viewers of TV Republika—the largest news channel in Poland.
However, as Maciej Świrski, chairman of the National Broadcasting Council, stressed:
“For the debate planned by TVP (as stipulated by law within 15 days before the presidential elections), all other news broadcasters must be allowed to participate, not just TVN and Polsat. Discriminating against other significant players in the media market—by TVP, which was unlawfully taken over by Donald Tusk’s government—is yet another act of censorship and a restriction of citizens’ access to information. This constitutes a violation of Article 54, paragraph 1 of the Constitution: ‘Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom to express opinions and to acquire and disseminate information.’ I call on TVP to allow all major broadcasters access to the signal and participation!”
A Reminder
As previously reported on numerous occasions, journalists from Telewizja Republika have repeatedly been denied access to press conferences held by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other government events, despite having fulfilled all accreditation requirements.
Representatives of the station, including Editor-in-Chief Tomasz Sakiewicz and head of publishers Jarosław Olechowski, argue that these actions represent a blatant violation of press law and constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech. Such exclusions occurred during conferences related to national security as well as crisis meetings concerning floods.
When asked why Republika journalists were not being let in, Prime Minister Donald Tusk claimed that “all media are being admitted.” This statement was met with criticism from Republika, which emphasized that its reporters had been consistently excluded from public events.
The matter has drawn reactions from both domestic and international institutions. The National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) condemned the government’s actions, considering them a violation of the right to information. Additionally, the Council of Europe categorized these incidents as harassment and intimidation of journalists, recording them on the Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists.
In response, Telewizja Republika filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office, accusing staff from the Prime Minister’s Office of suppressing media criticism and endangering public safety by limiting access to critical information during emergencies.