z19967811V,Dziennikarze-podczas-pracy—newsroom–Wyborcza-pl

The Media Freedom Rapid Response supports Gazeta Wyborcza in Poland

Read the article in Polish here

 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a mechanism to monitor and respond to threats against journalists and media workers in EU Member States and Candidate Countries, has responded to the unprecedented legal threats made against Polish newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza by contributing €15,000, it’s largest grant to date, to support the outlet’s legal defence.

 

Since 2015, Gazeta Wyborcza has received over 55 legal threats, including civil defamation actions and alleged infringement of personal interests by a number of actors including Jarosław Kaczyński, the head of the governing Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (PiS) party; the state television broadcaster, Telewizja Polska SA and state owned company KGHM Polska Miedź SA. Each threat is in relation to articles published in the newspaper or on the outlet’s website. These include: coverage of a recent reprivatisation scandal in Warsaw; the quality of COVID-19 facemasks bought from China; alleged censorship of a music festival; and a business relationship between the PiS leader and an Austrian businessman in relation to the construction of a skyscraper for a company associated with the ruling party. These actions have targeted the newspaper itself, the paper’s publisher, Agora SA, the editor-in-chief of wyborcza.pl, Dorota Goluch, and individual journalists including Wojciech Czuchnowski, Iwona Szpala-Żak and Agnieszka Kublik.

 

Gazeta Wyborcza’s publisher, Jerzy Wójcik:

 

“In countries that have become illiberal democracies, like Poland, independent media offer hope that civil society can survive. Our articles and journalistic investigations go against the interests of the ruling camp. Currently, Gazeta Wyborcza deals with dozens of lawsuits brought by the governing party, state owned companies and politicians belonging to the ruling camp. It is only thanks to the tireless efforts of our lawyers, and the institutions that support us, that we are able to continue our mission and operate as a dynamic, independent media outlet.”

 

These numerous legal actions pose an existential threat to Gazeta Wyborcza, an independent newspaper, which has made its name holding the powerful to account, informing the public and challenging opaque power and influence. What is more, the impact of these actions extends far beyond this one outlet alone. This can have a chilling effect for critical journalism as other outlets may see the threats made against Gazeta Wyborcza and decide to avoid sensitive but important public interest topics to ensure they do not meet the same fate as the second largest newspaper in Poland.

 

We call on the pursuers to stop the legal threats, which fit the definition of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and are aimed at stifling legitimate criticism and independent journalism. SLAPPs are a threat to the EU legal order, and in particular a threat to democracy and fundamental rights.

 

Since 2014, there have been over 490 alerts related to defamation actions uploaded to the Mapping Media Freedom platform, Cases such as those in Croatia, France, Malta, Luxembourg, Belgium, Romania and many more demonstrate the impact SLAPP suits have on media freedom, as outlets are threatened with costly and time-intensive actions. The number does not include the cases of journalists, media workers and outlets who have modified their coverage or decided against publishing something altogether to avoid legal threats. In this manner, the impact of defamation is hard to quantify but demonstrates a significant issue that needs to be addressed across Europe.

 

Flutura Kusari, ECPMF’s Legal Advisor:

 

“Lawsuits and legal threats against Gazeta Wyborcza demonstrate once more how laws are being abused to intimidate and censor the media. This is why it is urgent to put in place Anti-SLAPP measures at European level that would discourage politicians and powerful corporations from filing vexatious lawsuits against journalists and the media. The legal support offered by MFRR will contribute to the costs of legal representation for both the outlet and journalists targeted in these actions and will ensure they are afforded the necessary expertise and experience to make their case and defend themselves against these actions that threaten press freedom for everyone in Poland.”

 

Cases of defamation, or civil lawsuits such as SLAPPs, can be reported to mappingmediafreedom.org. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) also provides financial, practical and legal support for journalists, media workers and media outlets. For further information on legal aid please visit https://www.mfrr.eu/support/legal-support or contact our legal team on legal@ecpmf.eu 

 

—————————————————-

This statement is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by an consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) including ARTICLE 19, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Institute for Applied Informatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project is co-funded by the European Commission.

MFRR_ECPMF part of MFRR txt_2400px

Read news by categories:

Related news

Statement

Turkey: Media Freedom organisations call for action as press freedom violations surge in Turkey in 2025

READ MORE
Feature

Ukraine: Media organisations call upon President Zelensky to sign bill allowing journalist access to parliamentary committee sessions

ECPMF urges President Zelensky to sign Draft Law 11321, ensuring greater transparency and access to parliamentary committee sessions for journalists and civil society in Ukraine.

READ MORE
ECPMF

Georgia: Press freedom partners call for release of Mzia Amaglobeli, end to crackdown on free press

Press freedom organisations demand the release of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and an end to the crackdown on media. Amaglobeli faces unjust charges and alleged mistreatment.

READ MORE
Feature

EU must not yield in protecting free speech and discriminated groups

Discover why regulating Meta and other BigTech giants is essential to safeguard free speech and protect vulnerable communities in the EU.

READ MORE
ECPMF

Open letter to Mr. Albin Kurti, President of Vetevendosje Movement and Prime Minister of Kosovo

Media freedom groups call on Kosovo’s PM Albin Kurti to reverse his party’s boycott of T7, TV Dukagjini, and Klan Kosova. Public accountability and media freedom must be upheld during elections.

READ MORE
ECPMF

Press freedom groups in solidarity with journalists and media in Georgia

International press freedom groups express solidarity with Georgian journalists amid escalating violence and attacks on independent media during Tbilisi protests.

READ MORE