During the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, in a debate on the dramatic increase in the number of violent attacks on humanitarian workers and journalists around the world, Joachim Brudziński, a Law and Justice MEP, drew attention to—as he emphasized —the growing threats to freedom of speech and the personal freedom of journalists and clergy involved in media activities in Poland.
In his speech, Brudziński noted that the problem of persecution and pressure against media professionals is not limited to distant regions of the world. “The problem is right in the heart of Europe. Let’s not look for it only in Asia and Africa,” he said from the EP podium.
The PiS MEP criticized the current Polish government’s actions against public media, pointing to the unlawful seizure of their headquarters, the shutdown of their broadcasts, and announcements of their liquidation. As he emphasized, these actions took place in the absence of any reaction from European institutions. “In the first few hours, there was a ruthless attack on public media, in violation of Polish law,” he said.
Joachim Brudziński also addressed the situation of Catholic clergy involved in media activities. As an example, he cited Father Michał Olszewski, who—as he noted—was arrested on Holy Thursday and remained in custody for many months. The MEP cited the opinion of the Ombudsman, according to which the clergyman was allegedly subjected to forms of persecution.
Another example was Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, the founder of Radio Maryja and Telewizja Trwam. Brudziński spoke of numerous inspections and summonses to the prosecutor’s office directed at the priest and the Lux Veritatis Foundation. “On December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the anniversary of Radio Maryja’s founding, Father Tadeusz Rydzyk was summoned for questioning on the other side of Poland,” he emphasized.
The MEP also drew attention to cases of attacks and pressure against journalists from media outlets such as Telewizja Republika and wPolsce24. He pointed, among other things, to a brutal attack on one of the reporters and the lack of response from the prosecutor’s office, as well as to journalists being summoned for questioning in connection with their coverage of social protests.
In conclusion, Joachim Brudziński appealed to MEPs to recognize the threats to media freedom and pluralism of opinion in the European Union’s member states. “If we want to have an honest discussion about the safety of journalists and freedom of speech, we must also look at what is happening today in the very heart of Europe,” he concluded.
