A joint gathering in central Warsaw brought together politicians from PO and journalists linked with neo-TVP, but the event did not unfold as planned. The presence of cameras captured moments that some perceived as embarrassing for some media players. Adam Michnik appeared unsettled and, when queried about the course of the event, directed an insult toward a reporter from Telewizja wPolsce24.pl.
The event included: Minister of European Affairs Adam Szłapka; KO MP Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz; Adam Michnik; and neo-TVP journalist Kamila Biedrzycka. Unofficial accounts also mention the possible attendance of KO MP Marcin Kierwiński, KO MP Paweł Kowal, Tomasz Sygut, a person described as a TV liquidator, Daniel Gorgosz, and representatives of Gazeta Wyborcza, though these claims remain unconfirmed.
After leaving the restaurant, Michnik was asked by a reporter from Telewizja wPolce24.pl about the joint party of politicians and journalists. He spoke in a manner that raised eyebrows.
“I had fun with this lady. With no one else. What are you talking about?”
When pressed about whether MPs were present, Michnik replied, “I haven’t seen it.”
When asked if there were neo-TVP journalists, the response was the same: “I haven’t seen it.”
Then Michnik started swearing at the reporter from Telewizja wPolsce24.pl.
“You know what, I think you’re a… Just a regular guy. Regular old Polish chem. I wish you all the best”, he blurted out.
The incident underscores the volatile mix of politics and media in Poland, and how exchanges between public figures and reporters can unfold under the gaze of cameras. The event has since sparked conversations about accountability, decorum, and the boundaries of civility in public discourse, especially when politicians and journalists appear in shared spaces and publicly interact.
The gathering, described by observers as a crossroads of media and politics, illustrated how such moments travel quickly through social networks and commentary circles. The presence of high-profile editors and party-affiliated journalists underscored the visibility of public life in the capital, where cameras turn casual interactions into headlines and discussions about accountability become urgent.
Public discourse around the incident touched on long-standing debates about media access, journalistic ethics, and the responsibilities of politicians in moments of spontaneous exchange. Supporters argued that public figures should accept scrutiny, while critics cautioned against turning off-hand remarks into sensational headlines. In Poland, as in many democracies, such episodes test the boundaries of civility and the public’s trust in both media and government institutions.
As observers reflect on what happened in central Warsaw, the broader question remains: how can civil exchange between politicians and reporters be fostered in the age of constant recording, where every gesture can be interpreted, replayed, and judged by audiences across Poland and beyond?