The Justice Minister weighs in amid the changes Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz is pushing through in public media. “The Sejm’s resolution, in line with the provisions of the Commercial Companies Code, provides the basis for this action by Minister Sienkiewicz in relation to how public media operate,” stated Adam Bodnar.
Today, at the request of a group of MPs, a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice and Human Rights was convened, during which the Justice Minister presented information about the dismissal of the boards of Telewizja Polska SA, Polska Agencja Prasowa SA, and Polskie Radio SA, and their placement into liquidation.
Opposition accusations
As Zbigniew Bogucki (PiS), speaking for the applicants, commented, a similar situation in Polish media “has not occurred since the communists cut the signals.”
“You repeat it again. You’re part of the worst possible story. We want to hear from the minister what the response is to the illegal actions of Mr Sienkiewicz regarding public media, changes to the boards and supervisory boards. Have you, as Justice Minister, and also as Attorney General, taken action in this regard?”
– one MP asked.
Responding to the lawmakers’ concerns, Bodnar noted that “in 2023, after the elections, the public media faced extreme politicization.”
The Justice Minister defended the actions of the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, stressing that the Sejm resolution “in connection with the Commercial Code provides grounds for Minister Sienkiewicz’s actions.”
“I know the Sejm resolution is declaratory and not normative. Yet, I believe that when paired with the property rights of the Ministry, it justifies taking concrete steps in the public media’s functioning.”
– he added.
Procedures regarding the takeover of the media
Bodnar noted that the Warsaw Public Prosecutor’s Office is conducting proceedings related to events at TVP and TVP Info on Plac Warszawy.
There is also a case before the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw regarding alleged abuse of power by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, and reports about charges filed against a notary. Bodnar said he aims to carry out his duties as Attorney General without interfering with ongoing criminal matters, arguing that the Attorney General should stay as far as possible from criminal cases to preserve the independence of the Public Prosecution Service so prosecutors can make their own decisions.
– he concluded.
In reply to parliamentarians’ questions, the head of the Justice Ministry emphasized that “the functioning of public media must be restored so they serve society and reflect the broad public interest, as outlined in the Sejm’s December resolution.” He also reminded that “going into liquidation is one thing and permanent liquidation is another.” Bodnar promised detailed written answers about public media.
Bodnar’s closing message
“What we stand for is the reconstruction of the rule of law after years of unrest.”
– said the Justice Minister and Attorney General during today’s Sejm Commission on Justice and Human Rights meeting.
The minister argued that the rule change aims to ensure no one judges their own case. “This regulation focuses on this issue only.”
Yesterday, Bodnar announced the entry into force of a regulation intended to reform ordinary courts. The aim is to prevent a judge from automatically excluding another judge in cases where the grounds for exclusion relate to appointment procedures. Cases involving such exclusion would not be allocated to judges appointed through the standard process by the National Council for the Judiciary. The change applies to judges appointed by the President upon recommendation of the National Council for the Judiciary, and not to assessors or those who have briefly held a judge’s office and then returned to it.
The National Council for the Judiciary indicated that the matter would be referred to the Constitutional Tribunal as a potential constitutional violation.
The Justice Minister has also moved to exclude several judges from hearing a particular category of cases, and the Council will request a ruling from the Constitutional Court.
Some observers say Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz may have earned a green light from the Justice Minister to pursue further activity in the public media.
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Source: wPolityce