TVN24 criticized the use of its editorial material and journalist images in a PiS online spot, stating on social media that the material had been used unlawfully for party and election propaganda. The broadcaster argued that such actions damage media credibility and infringe on newsroom independence.
New PiS spot
The Law and Justice party released an online video that recalls how the opposition has addressed uniformed border defenders amid tensions with the Belarusian regime. The footage mixes stills from a Warsaw military parade held on the Polish Army Day with sharp comments from Władysław Frasyniuk, who referred to the border defenders as “garbage” and a “pack of dogs.”
On the opposite side of the argument, a statement attributed to Donald Tusk described the defenders as people seeking their place on earth.
Additionally, Andrzej Zaucha, a TVN24 journalist, is shown near a border area with a Polish-Belarusian mission, where he is depicted as not introducing himself or explaining why passage is restricted.
TVN24 protests
TVN24 reaffirmed its displeasure with the PiS advertisement. The broadcaster issued a statement on social media noting that the actions erode media credibility and misuse journalists’ images for political messaging. The network emphasized that the appropriation of editorial materials and journalist likenesses for party propaganda undermines the media’s independence and the rightful ownership of its content.
– The channel’s comment read, in part, that misappropriating editorial work and journalist imagery for political gain inflames distrust and degrades reporting integrity.
What drew sharp attention was the portrayal of TVN24’s stance and concerns about impartiality in coverage during coverage of border issues and national security topics.
– A broader discussion followed about media rights, editorial independence, and the responsibilities that come with using broadcast material in political campaigns.
Source: wPolityce