Polish TV journalist cleared by ethics commitee

The presenter for Poland's public broadcaster was suspended following an interview with deputy Prime Minister and Culture Minister Piotr Gliński, during which she questioned him in a heated exchange about his decision to try to prevent a controversial theatre production from being shown.

Gliński retaliated by accusing TVP of having been “manipulating” public opinion.

She was suspended hours later on the grounds that her interviewing technique was contrary to the expected standards of public television.

“[We] have decided that in her interview with Minister Piotr Gliński the journalist Karolina Lewicka did not breach any of the 16 points in TVP’s journalism ethics,” the TVP Ethics Committee concluded in its investigation.

“The journalist had the right to raise the topic as it was of public interest. During the interview she assumed the role of a relentless adversary, who wants to get an answer to a question about the legal grounds for the minister’s request to cancel the preparations for the play,” the report continued.

The Commission also added that it believes the stance of the Minister and his declaration about the alleged actions of TVP was partially responsible for determining how the interview played out.

“This declaration was, not only in the opinion of the presenter, but also in the opinion of this Commission, unjust and hurtful towards TVP and its journalist,” it explained.

Lewicka returns to work

Lewicka has been called back to work by TVP Chairperson Janusz Daszczyński, and will continue to host an evening political programme on TVP, restarting from 1 December.

Daszczyński originally suspended Lewicka following the interview, although he later signed a staff letter to the Minister objecting to the claims about TVP bias.

Despite accepting the Commission’s decision, Daszczyński stated that he had not changed his original opinion regarding the journalist’s performance during the interview. (sl/rg/rk)

Source: PAP