Today a written appeal was sent to Tomasz Terlikowski asking for an apology. The appeal referenced remarks made on TV Republika by the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Przemysław Czarnek, who suggested that Terlikowski had participated in a repeated rape of a child victim connected to a pedophile case.
READ ALSO: Terlikowski confronted the head of the MEiN about the alleged involvement, with Czarnek replying that an apology should be given.
READ ALSO: Jacek Karnowski argued that Terlikowski acted in a way that instrumentalized the pedophile scandal, describing it as a political flail.
Pedophilia scandal in Szczecin
Last week Radio Szczecin reported that Krzysztof F., the plenipotentiary for addictions for Marshal Olgierd Geblewicz, had been convicted of pedophilia. The broadcaster noted that Krzysztof F. had been a Civic Platform candidate for the regional assembly and had connections to Rafał Trzaskowski’s circle as a trustee.
The victims were two teenage individuals, and the crime occurred in 2020. The verdict came in 2021, with the perpetrator sentenced to four years and ten months in prison.
Radio Szczecin also highlighted the political activities of the victims’ mother, a detail that some Internet users argued could risk identifying the victims.
A public commentator, Terlikowski, wrote on social media that disclosing the personal data of pedophilia victims should not be tolerated.
He stated: “This is a repeated rape of innocent children carried out in service of dark political and media interests. There can be no justification for revealing the mother’s data so that the victims’ data becomes accessible as well. Consequences should follow for the broadcaster, the journalist, and their superiors.”
– That was his message.
Commentary by Minister Czarnek
On Friday the case involving Krzysztof F. was discussed on TVP Info’s Jedziemy program by the Minister of Education and Science, Przemysław Czarnek. The minister weighed in on Olgierd Geblewicz’s stance that pedophilia should not be a matter of public debate in order to protect the victim.
Czarnek argued that a left-liberal milieu in the country, which he described as promoting demoralization, now feels ashamed of those who come from that milieu and are tied to party leaders and presidential candidates.
He asserted that hiding the fact of a pedophile’s conviction harms society. He emphasized that while the court process was confidential to protect the victim, the focus should be on addressing the perpetrator, a person recognized as a pedophile by court ruling, and that contact with such individuals should be avoided due to safety concerns for the public.
He noted that concealing this fact would be an action against society.
He added that withholding the pedophile status, despite final court validation, represents a social harm.
Terlikowski attacks, Czarnek calls for an apology
Terlikowski responded to the minister’s remarks on Twitter, calling for accountability and accusing the minister of participating in the re-rape of a child and showing ignorance about pedophilia.
In turn, Czarnek urged Terlikowski to apologize, warning that if no apology was forthcoming, legal action would ensue the following week.
Written summons
Czarnek faced questions on TV Republika about the issue and offered protective language, describing his stance as charitable and forgiving toward Terlikowski.
The minister suggested that Terlikowski should reflect on his own public honors and consider apologizing, stressing that his remarks did not target the victims or their families directly.
In a further statement, he emphasized that discussing the victims in a manner that amplifies harm is unacceptable and that the court handled the case with the victim’s best interests in mind, focusing on the perpetrator rather than the victim.
The minister described Terlikowski’s reaction as insulting and indicated that a written summons had been issued, hoping Terlikowski would recognize the need to apologize given the substantial public honors involved.
Additional remarks were attributed to Czarnek about the seriousness of the matter and the expectation of accountability for those who discuss pedophilia in a way that could retraumatize victims.
Continued discussion
The dispute between Terlikowski and Czarnek spilled into social media last week. The minister faced questions about threatening a journalist with court action, which Terlikowski characterized as fear or cowardice and argued for the right to defend himself in court.
Terlikowski asserted that he would explain why reporting details of a harmed child should not lead to further punishment for the child and why such reporting amounts to continued harm to the victim and family.
The minister countered by suggesting Terlikowski delay his statements, highlighting the urgency of accountability. He hinted that the situation required careful handling and suggested that time was running out for a response.
Last Friday, Terlikowski announced a potential end to his association with TV Republika, noting that his program might be suspended and thanking viewers and readers for their support and engagement.
READ ALSO: TV Republika suspended Terlikowski’s program, with the broadcaster citing changes in programming and collaboration.
olk/PAP/Twitter
Source: wPolityce [Source attribution]