The Slovenian Association of Patriotic Journalists issued a formal communiqué condemning what it described as an assault by Donald Tusk’s government on the Polish public media landscape. The document drew a stark parallel between the current Polish approach and the standard tactics once associated with totalitarian regimes, arguing that the means being used to gain control over state broadcasting echo a historical pattern of suppression that runs counter to democratic norms.
The communiqué contends that the actions of the new Polish administration bear a closer resemblance to the methods used by authoritarian systems than to those expected of a nation belonging to the European Union. The authors emphasized that their concern stems from the overt effort to subdue public television through measures that appear repressive and brutal, a posture they believe undermines the principle of accountable government within a framework that respects the rule of law across democratic institutions.
According to the statement, Slovenian observers are watching developments in Poland with growing apprehension as the government led by Donald Tusk appears intent on restructuring the public media sphere by bypassing established constitutional and legislative channels. It is asserted that under Polish law, the National Media Council holds exclusive responsibility for public media management, and any attempt to sidestep this framework through unilateral executive acts sets a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes journalistic independence and the public’s right to information. The document notes the absence of clear justification for circumventing parliamentary processes, replacing media leadership via a formal resolution, and limiting journalists’ ability to perform their duties freely. The overarching claim is that such moves run counter to the core values of democracy, freedom, and media independence that should anchor every EU member state.
The communiqué further argues that Tusk’s administration appears to be deploying a takeover strategy reminiscent of dictatorial regimes whose goal, post-coup, is to place the media firmly under political control from the outset. It stresses that this posture is not merely a domestic policy issue; it is presented as a destabilizing development within the European Union, provoking concern about the compatibility of such actions with shared European standards on the rule of law and civil liberties. The writers describe the situation as incongruous with a union that has repeatedly stressed safeguarding fundamental rights, especially when these events unfold inside the political heart of Europe with apparent support or acquiescence from the Brussels institutions, which had previously criticized the prior government on rule-of-law grounds and now appear notably quiet.
In their view, the communiqué signals a warning to other governments and political actors: launching unauthorized, non-democratic maneuvers under the banner of EU alignment can set a dangerous precedent. It implies that loyalty to EU policy direction and ideological alignment may be used as a pretext to justify illegal or unconstitutional actions against independent media, a trend the authors consider perilous for the future of democratic accountability in member states.
The Slovenian Association of Patriotic Journalists affirmed its steadfast support for journalists and editors in Polish public media who have faced what it calls undemocratic pressure and measures. The statement underscores the importance of protecting editorial independence and the safety of reporters who strive to perform their duties without fear of political interference. It also notes that while it is legitimate for a government to appoint or adjust supervisory boards and management of public media, such changes must be conducted within the bounds of law and constitutional safeguards, not through expedient bypasses that erode trust in democratic institutions.
Consequently, the association called on the Tusk government to halt the repressive practices targeting the public media and to pursue reforms through transparent, lawful processes that align with democratic norms and civil liberties. The appeal stresses that reforms should strengthen, not undermine, institutional independence, ensuring that public broadcasting serves the public interest rather than a political agenda. The message conveyed in the communiqué reflects a conviction that democratic governance requires both respect for the rule of law and robust protection for the freedoms essential to a free press, even in times of political change.
– the communiqué was issued under the authority of the association’s leadership and reflects the collective position, as noted in the closing remarks of the statement.
Note: this interpretation draws on public discourse surrounding media governance in Poland and the related EU context, reflecting concerns voiced by Slovenian journalists about media independence and democratic norms within the European Union.