The discussion over the “Debate in Końskie,” which took place before the first round of the presidential election, is far from over. The reason is simple – there are still no clear explanations about who financed this political event. The issue resurfaced during Thursday’s meeting of the Committee on Culture, National Heritage, and Media. Questions raised by TV Republika journalist Adrian Borecki might not have pleased the management of Telewizja Polska (TVP) in ongoing liquidation.
On Thursday, the Committee on Culture, National Heritage, and Media held a meeting addressing the state of public media, including their coverage of the 2025 presidential campaign. During the discussion, questions arose regarding the “Debate in Końskie” – an event to which, initially, only Karol Nawrocki was invited by either Rafał Trzaskowski or TVP in liquidation (the matter remains unclear). After the debate organized by TV Republika, other candidates also traveled to the site. The issue was brought up by, among others, Strefa Wolnego Słowa journalist Adrian Borecki.
Continuous liquidation
The reporter from TV Republika directly addressed Tomasz Sygut, the general director of TVP in liquidation. At the outset, he reminded everyone that the head of public television had previously managed a municipal company subordinate to the office of Trzaskowski. As he noted, this should be remembered when trying to “understand how Telewizja Polska in liquidation currently operates.”
Borecki asked whether it was true that although the company is in “continuous liquidation,” its “liquidator,” Daniel Gorgosz, is currently on a business trip to Japan, while the firm spends thousands on suits, shirts, jackets, and car wrapping. He also recalled that the company refuses to disclose the salary of Marek Czyż, who became known for his “pure water” comment after taking over the station.
Who paid for Trzaskowski’s debate?
Referring to the debate itself, Borecki pointed out that the largest television station in Poland – TV Republika – was not allowed to co-organize the event. He also highlighted inconsistencies regarding who financed it. He recalled the statement of Trzaskowski’s campaign staffer, Patryk Jaskulski, who said that the event was organized by TVP in liquidation, followed by the words of a station employee hosting the event – that it was organized by the Warsaw mayor’s committee.
He also played a recording of another statement by a station employee, who said that her colleague hosting the debate received payment for the task from TVP in liquidation. Thus, she directly admitted that the media coverage of Trzaskowski’s campaign event was financed with public funds.
“This situation is hopeless for you. Because if the entire debate was indeed paid for by Rafał Trzaskowski’s campaign committee, then Ms. Joanna Dunikowska-Paź should have already been dismissed for breaching the TVP code of ethics, because a TVP journalist – and I signed this myself when working in public media – cannot participate in events organized by a campaign committee, and that’s exactly what happened here. On the other hand, if TVP actually paid Ms. Dunikowska-Paź, the editor, cameramen, or other staff, then this constitutes illegal campaign financing with public money. So – either hopeless, or even worse,” said Borecki.
He also asked what Grzegorz Sajór was doing in the area reserved only for campaign teams during the Super Express debate, and about Trzaskowski’s recent statements concerning coordination of work in public media. He received no answers to any of the issues he raised. After the TV Republika journalist’s speech, the committee chairman announced a break. For a week.