The appearance on the program “At the center of events” on Polish television featured Franciszek Małecki-Trzaskoś, the father of the 11-year-old often dubbed the youngest parliamentary journalist. The girl became the focal point for many editorial desks after she was dismissed by President Jarosław Kaczyński in a media exchange with reporters.
The host, Jakub Maciejewski, who wrote a piece for the weekly about the girl’s interviews, pressed the father on whether he and his daughter held journalistic credentials and parliamentary passes. Małecki-Trzaskoś answered the question plainly:
The Sejm Chancellery had issued passes with a condition: if Sara was present in the chamber, she needed to be accompanied by either her father or herself.
The presenter, with a tone of astonishment, pressed further:
How did the idea arise that an eleven-year-old would enter the Sejm with a microphone, question politicians, and then publish her findings? The initial online reactions suggest concerns about child welfare and potential misuse.
The girl’s father explained how the plan started to become a reality—Sara, a primary school pupil from Gdańsk, living near notable civic institutions, grew increasingly aware of the world. She understands that Poland is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees her rights to seek information and express her views. Earlier this year Sara asked if, given his professional duties, he would take her along to the Sejm as he produced a documentary in collaboration with his editor. After discussing with his spouse and consulting with a psychologist from a clinical setting, they concluded that, despite appearances, this was a sound idea. The Polish Press Act, though rooted in older regulatory traditions, does not set a lower age limit for journalism. Contrary to online cynicism, the Act does not state that a journalist must be employed on assignment only; a journalist can work for a specific editorial office. In Sara’s case, she is performing journalistic work for a particular outlet. This arrangement is legal and permissible.
Maciejewski returned to the concern about potential harm to the child, noting the high-tension environment of political life. Małecki-Trzaskoś responded that the Sejm is a special place but far safer than spaces like certain forests where teens might film and post provocative content online. He added that Sara does not have access to social media, does not publish content, and does not manage descriptions of material online. Any comments she encounters are seen only by him after a screening process.
The host also asked about Sara’s seemingly difficult questions that challenge many adults. Maciejewski recalled Sara’s engagement with Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk, describing the questions in childlike terms about Poland’s postwar expulsions of Jews. He noted that some responses from MPs, such as Joński, appeared to place events in different timelines, illustrating divergent historical interpretations. The concern remained whether Sara truly comprehends the complexity behind these issues or if there is a political intention behind the questions.
Małecki-Trzaskoś offered a personal narrative of Sara’s experiences. A year earlier, while in Warsaw, Sara asked about a monument to the Little Insurgent near the Old Town. He explained that children participated in the Warsaw Uprising, not as combatants but as active contributors who faced danger and sacrifice. A visit to the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Museum of the Second World War followed, where Sara confronted powerful images and stories of Jewish history and the Holocaust. She then asked whether the nightmare had ended, prompting a discussion about ongoing postwar tensions. Eventually, the question arose about the Sejm—whether Sara would take part and ask questions—leading to a decision to proceed with the venture.
Franciszek Małecki-Trzaskoś stated that politicians should be accountable for answers to Sara’s inquiries. He emphasized that Sara and her father were not engaging in improper conduct. The program’s entirety can be watched below:
WATCH THE INTERVIEW: