The National
Broadcasting Council

In recent months, there have been numerous instances of the state administration denying journalists from TV Republika access to information in the public sphere. Blocking journalists' access to information about the activities of state authorities prevents them from fulfilling their basic duties under the Press Law Act.

Article 2 of this same law clearly states: 'The state authorities shall, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, create the conditions necessary for the press to perform its functions and duties, including enabling the operation of editorial offices of newspapers and magazines that are diverse in terms of programme, content and outlook'. Furthermore, Article 61 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland explicitly mentions the right of citizens to obtain information on the activities of public authorities.

In addition, Article 4 of the Act on Access to Public Information also refers to the obligation of public authorities to provide information. Article 18, on the other hand, states that access to information may not be given only to selected bodies. Furthermore, the press may not be prevented from gathering critical material or be suppressed in any way, as stated in Article 6 of the Press Law Act.

The National Broadcasting Council calls for equal treatment of all journalists and equal access to public information, which will enable the audience of all media to become familiar with the activities of state authorities.