Poland’s broadcasting regulator KRRiT has launched an investigation into TV Republika following complaints about a series of aggressive on-screen news tickers.
Presidential Veto and Government Response to SAFE Program
On March 12th, President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a government bill implementing the European SAFE program, which could have provided Poland with a €43.7 billion loan over 45 years. The following day, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution authorizing the Minister of National Defense, as well as the Minister of Finance and Economy, to sign an agreement concerning SAFE.
Subsequently, during a Sejm session, Przemysław Czarnek of PiS called for the procedural handling of the presidential draft law “Polish SAFE zero-percent.” Donald Tusk had previously indicated doubts regarding its financing.
Complaints Filed Against TV Republika
KRRiT received complaints regarding the on-screen messaging of TV Republika. Journalist Agnieszka Kublik from Wyborcza announced she would file a complaint with the National Broadcasting Council. According to WirtualneMedia.pl, KRRiT also received complaints from viewers.
KRRiT spokesperson Anna Ostrowska stated that the complaints raised concerns about the lack of factual accuracy and doubts about the compliance of certain content with the provisions of the Radio and Television Act, particularly Article 18, paragraph 1. Investigative actions have been initiated in response to the received complaints.
“Der SAFE” and German Connotations
TV Republika rebranded the SAFE program as “Der SAFE,” initiating a series of messages with German connotations. These included statements such as: “Tusk prepares a resolution ‘For Germany’”, “German propaganda cannons aimed at the President”, “President’s veto shattered German wunderwaffe”, “German bankers calling Tusk with complaints”, “President stopped German march through Poland”, and “Goebbels propaganda attacks the President.”
Aggressive Messaging Targeting the Government
Agnieszka Kublik of Wyborcza.pl wrote that TV Republika, which has long portrayed the Tusk government as traitors working in German interests, released a series of unprecedentedly aggressive on-screen messages on Thursday and Friday.
