“We created a space of freedom, and within that space, a true debate took place. This debate was not supposed to happen. They wanted to steal freedom of speech in Poland, they wanted to steal the debate, they wanted to steal democracy from Poland, but they failed, because we created TV Republika,” said Tomasz Sakiewicz, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Polska and Gazeta Polska Codziennie, during the Presidential Gala of TV Republika.
Following the inauguration of Karol Nawrocki as President, the Presidential Gala of TV Republika took place, attended by guests who had travelled to Poland for the inauguration, including guests from the United States.
“Karol Nawrocki became the President of Poland! He did, despite the opposition of the European elites, despite the resistance of the dominant media. But at a certain point, the dominant medium became TV Republika. We created a space of freedom, and within that space, a true debate took place. This debate was not supposed to happen. They wanted to steal freedom of speech in Poland, they wanted to steal the debate, they wanted to steal democracy from Poland, but they failed, because we created TV Republika. ‘Republika’ means: a common cause, the concern of all people. If someone is a Republican, it simply means they serve everyone, and that’s why TV Republika was created,”
said Editor-in-Chief Sakiewicz to the guests gathered at the gala.
He emphasised that “together, we have achieved an incredible success.”
“The one whom the Polish people chose has won. For that, I am grateful to everyone who helped TV Republika. And I am grateful to our friends from America. Because together we defended shared values, together we stood in the same places, and together we were able to demand the same things: freedom of speech, democracy, and fundamental human rights,”
he stressed.
Michał Rachoń, program director of TV Republika, also took the stage.
“At this moment, it is important to express gratitude and highlight that TV Republika operates thanks to, and this, I believe, is also a sign of the times, the fact that our station is funded by our viewers. Please give a round of applause for our viewers, for all those who made it possible for us to build together a home for free speech,”
said editor Rachoń.
“I just want to mention one thing, the reason why TV Republika and Gazeta Polska are where they are today. In my office, where I work, in the new headquarters of the station, hangs a small plaque, a memento we’ve had at Gazeta Polska since 1998. It’s a keepsake we received from a great Polish-American hero, General Kukliński. When the General was in Poland in 1998, he gave us this token of appreciation for our support of the transatlantic way of thinking, for our approach to national security, one that views Polish-American relations as beneficial not only to us, but also to the United States. And that is the reason our community has always spoken clearly on this matter: Polish-American cooperation is good for Poland and good for the United States. It is the foundation of fundamental freedoms,”
added editor Rachoń.