Poland, Germany, and the judiciary: a cross-border clash over media coverage and legal discourse
On February 10, remarks by Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, made in response to a FAZ feature about recent amendments to Poland’s Supreme Court law, drew sharp attention. The Polish Attorney General framed the piece as another instance of interference by German media and political actors in Poland’s judicial affairs. The incident quickly moved into social media, with a German user reacting so strongly that Ziobro’s post was contested and even urged for removal. The German user cited German regulations as part of the justification for censorship. Yet the attempt to suppress the Polish official’s statement did not succeed, as Twitter did not comply with the removal request.
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The underlying sentiment in the exchange reflected a longstanding stereotype some observers associate with German-Polish relations. Critics argued that a German audience might presume a position of authority in judging Polish matters, while some Polish commentators warned against perceiving domestic policy through a foreign lens. The episode touched a broader debate about national sovereignty, media responsibility, and the boundaries of cross-border political commentary.
– in response to the FAZ article that addressed Polish judicial reform, Ziobro asserted that the piece hurt Poland and warranted a robust, principled rebuttal. The tone of the reply underscored a perception among some Polish officials that foreign outlets had overstepped, exploiting international platforms to shape perceptions about Poland’s legal system.
What followed was a swift reaction online. TT administrators faced a complaint from a German user who felt offended by Ziobro’s post. The accuser appealed not only to TT’s internal guidelines but also invoked German law, specifically NetzDG, to argue for content removal. Available information indicates that the TT moderator did not identify any violation of TT rules in the Attorney General’s list, nor was there an apparent breach of German law according to those familiar with the situation.
WM
Source: wPolityce