MP Andrzej Śliwka drew attention to a series of actions targeting TV Republika that may pose a threat to freedom of speech. These include, among other things, lawsuits filed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk against the station’s management, cases under Article 212 of the Penal Code, reports of surveillance of one of the journalists, and pressure exerted on advertisers. Śliwka points out that institutions that previously spoke out loudly against such practices are not condemning similar actions today. “Double standards? Worse: a silent acceptance of the destruction of freedom of speech,” he writes.
Andrzej Śliwka recalled that Prime Minister Donald Tusk sued the head of publishers at TV Republika for reminding the public of his earlier statements. A second lawsuit is said to concern a caricature depicting the prime minister. The MP described these actions as an attempt to limit criticism directed at the government.
“The prime minister and leader of the ruling party is suing the head of the publishers of the largest news station in Poland because he dislikes that his own past statements are being recalled. (…) The same prime minister then sues the station’s president and editor-in-chief for… a caricature,”
he wrote.
The MP added that one of TV Republika’s journalists was allegedly subjected to surveillance. No details of the case have been disclosed, but Śliwka emphasized that the conduct of the security services raises serious concerns.
He also noted that the prosecutor’s office is pursuing cases under Article 212 of the Penal Code against the station’s journalists – a provision often criticized as a tool restricting freedom of expression.
The post also touches on the issue of economic pressure. Śliwka claims that advertisers cooperating with TV Republika are being “attacked,” while potential sponsors are being “intimidated,” which could affect the station’s operational stability.
The MP further referred to the silence of European Union institutions, which in previous years frequently commented on media-related matters in Poland:
“Imagine what the ‘free media,’ Věra Jourová, the CJEU, the foreign press, and ambassadors would write if this were happening under PiS. But since Tusk is doing it today, no one sees a problem.”
Śliwka concluded his post by stating that the events described could lead to the emergence of a system in which those in power are no longer subject to genuine journalistic or civic oversight.