A Polish crowdfunding platform has blocked a fundraiser launched to support journalist Samuel Pereira, who was recently found guilty of defamation against Alexandra Brejza.
Judgment Against Journalist
In June 2023, a court upheld a verdict that found Samuel Pereira, formerly head of TVP Info and deputy director of Telewizyjna Agencja Informacyjna, guilty of defaming Alexandra Brejzy, the mother of Polish Edmonton politician Krzysztof Brejzy.
Fundraiser Blocked
Zrzutka.pl, a Polish crowdfunding platform, blocked a fundraiser launched by the Polish Journalists Association to raise 40,000 zł for Pereira’s fines and legal costs. The platform determined that the fundraiser’s purpose matched the amount of the court-ordered fine, prompting concerns about lawful use of funds.
SDP’s Response
The Association claimed it had launched a solidarity fundraiser for a journalist facing excessive legal penalties as a result of his work. They noted that Pereira “has two minor children to support, and the court-ordered fine is disproportionately high in relation to his income and resources.”
