A Warsaw court annulled a 550,000 złoty fine levied against TVN by the broadcasting regulator KRRiT over a report alleging cover-ups of pedophilia within the Catholic Church.
Court Rejects KRRiT’s Decision
The District Court in Warsaw overturned the decision by KRRiT to fine TVN 550,000 złoty for broadcasting the report “Franciszkańska 3.” The court determined the material did not constitute an attack on the Catholic Church and that addressing the protection of minors is fundamental to democracy.
The ruling, issued on March 27th, fully overturned the decision made by then-Chairman of the National Broadcasting Council, Maciej Świrski, on March 4, 2024. Świrski had accused TVN SA of violating articles 18, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Radio and Television Act through the broadcast.
Report’s Content and Court’s Reasoning
TVN24 reported that the court, in its oral justification, found no evidence that the program “Bielmo. Franciszkańska 3” promoted attitudes contrary to law or violated Christian values.
The court stated the program was not an attack on the Church, and that a thorough reckoning with the issue of pedophilia within the Catholic Church has not occurred in Poland. Investigating such socially significant topics as the protection of minors in relation to trusted institutions like churches is a cornerstone of democracy.
Appeal Rights and Investigative Thoroughness
The ruling is not final and is subject to appeal. The court found that the evidence presented indicated the report was prepared diligently and in accordance with journalistic standards, based on interviews with numerous witnesses.
Even if irregularities had occurred, the court emphasized that the KRRiT Chairman is not authorized to investigate such matters, and the Radio and Television Act does not provide a legal basis for imposing a penalty on a broadcaster. Protection of personal rights is governed by the civil code.
Background of the Report and KRRiT’s Response
The report “Bielmo. Franciszkańska 3” by Marcin Gutowski, premiered on March 6, 2023, and presented the thesis that Karol Wojtyła, as Archbishop of Krakow, covered up cases of pedophilia among clergy.
In March 2024, KRRiT reported receiving a record number of complaints following the broadcast – 6,058 submissions containing 39,613 signatures opposing the report’s content. KRRiT experts concluded the material did not meet the criteria of a report or journalistic ethics standards.
KRRiT’s Concerns and Świrski’s Actions
KRRiT stated the report relied on materials from the Security Service of the Polish People’s Republic (SB) and failed to verify other documentation. It alleged a lack of thorough investigation, a failure to connect events, and a narrative tailored to a pre-existing thesis.
The regulator claimed the material contained content contrary to law and social good, offended religious feelings, and misled the public. Świrski called on the broadcaster to cease violating the law and imposed the 550,000 złoty fine.
Subsequent Developments and Leadership Change
TVN appealed Świrski’s decision, with legal counsel Paulina Maślak-Stępnikowska stating in April 2024 that KRRiT’s actions represented an institutional interference with freedom of speech.
Maciej Świrski was removed from his position as head of KRRiT on July 28, 2025, following a parliamentary vote to hold him accountable before the State Tribunal. The initial motion cited violations related to blocking approximately 300 million złoty in license fees for public radio and television, blocking concessions for private broadcasters (TVN, TVN 24, Radio TOK FM, Radio ZET), and failing to conduct television viewership research.
Agnieszka Glapiak currently serves as the Chairperson of KRRiT.
