Last Friday, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris took place, which Przemysław Babiarz commented on Polish Television. During the ceremony, John Lennon’s song “Imagine” resounded on stage, which the presenter commented briefly: “A world without heaven, nations, religions and this is the vision of this peace that is to encompass everyone. This is the vision of communism, unfortunately.”
A day later, the authorities of Telewizja Polska decided to suspend Przemysław Babiarz as a commentator of the sports games. “We inform you that after yesterday’s scandalous words by Przemysław Babiarz, he has been suspended from his official duties and will not comment on the competitions during the Olympic Games,” TVP reported in a statement published on July 27. The station also added that: “mutual understanding, tolerance, reconciliation – these are not only the basic Olympic ideas, they are also the foundation of the standards that the new Telewizja Polska is guided by. There is no consent to violate them.”
Maciej Świrski initiates proceedings in the case of Przemysław Babiarz
The National Broadcasting Council has taken an interest in the case. On Saturday, Maciej Świrski informed via portal X about the initiation of explanatory proceedings in connection with Przemysław Babiarz’s statement. “I have ordered the initiation of explanatory proceedings regarding the suspension of editor Przemysław Babiarz in order to verify whether the right to freedom of speech of a journalist has been violated,” the head of the National Broadcasting Council said.
Statement by the National Broadcasting Council regarding Przemysław Babiarz
On Monday: “The proceedings will clarify whether Polish law has been violated by restricting a journalist’s freedom to speak and express an opinion, which is expressly guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and other acts (Press Law, Radio and Television Act). A letter was sent to the broadcaster requesting urgent sending of broadcast material and presentation of a position on the matter. In connection with this event, the National Broadcasting Council is receiving complaints” – the statement reads.
Source: Gazeta
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