The program “Sensations of the 20th century,” created by Bogusław Wołoszański, is currently a candidate in the Civic Coalition list for the Sejm in Piotrków district. It has disappeared from the TVP lineup, a move that drew sharp criticism from opposition politicians and several journalists who view it as a political decision by TVP authorities to limit coverage of a KO-affiliated figure.
Telewizja Polska removed from its schedule popular entries by Wołoszański, including the long-running series “Sensations of the 20th Century” and the documentary “Encyclopedia of World War II,” which had enjoyed strong viewership for many years. The author’s political engagement is cited as the reason for the pull, prompting debates about fairness and media exposure ahead of the elections.
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A wave of indignation
Social media quickly lit up with protests and commentary. Critics argued that the decision targets a person running for office and skews the informational landscape during the electoral period. Some voices suggested that a political motive underpins programming choices at TVP Historia, casting doubt on the fairness of ongoing coverage ahead of vote day.
– Agnieszka Pomaska, KO MP, stated on social media that the move represents interference in public broadcasting and a manipulation of public discourse.
All Wołoszański programs disappeared from TVP Historia the day his candidacy became public. “Sensations of the 20th Century” and “Encyclopedia of World War II” had long served as key components of the channel’s historical offering.
Grzegorz Furgo, another KO representative, echoed the concern, calling the action a media move that could influence voter perceptions at a critical moment.
TVP Historia initially noted the changes in the lineup but indicated that the programs were temporarily unavailable during the campaign period. A public-facing explanation suggested the interruption was tied to the political context surrounding Wołoszański’s candidacy.
– Patryk Słowik, a journalist with Wirtualna Polska, shared the conversation publicly, highlighting the tension between editorial independence and electoral neutrality.
TVP translations
The Wirtualnemedia.pl portal reported that TVP’s press service attributed the move to Wołoszański’s candidacy within the Civic Coalition in Piotrków district. The decision, they stated, was aimed at avoiding an impression of extra visibility for a particular candidate in the run-up to the election. After voting, the programs were expected to return in HD quality.
– TVP comment on Wirtualnemedia.pl outlined this rationale, emphasizing fairness in coverage during the electoral period.
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Wołoszański’s reaction
Wołoszański himself addressed the controversy, noting surprise at the response while affirming that his work remained about informing the public rather than engaging in political games. He described the stance as an attempt to distort his contributions and rejected the framing as a political maneuver. The historian and media figure is running as a KO candidate in the Sejm race, with Antoni Macierewicz as the main PiS challenger in district No. 10. The campaign discussion has included remarks about perceived biases and the strategic timing of program exposure ahead of the vote.
– He remarked that he has long studied policy and will continue to share his perspectives, while acknowledging the moment as a test for the openness of media to diverse viewpoints. He invoked a historic remark often associated with resilience in public life, suggesting that the current moment could be a pivotal point rather than an end.
– Wołoszański spoke during a KO gathering at the party’s council, reflecting on the link between past work and current political aspirations and underscoring that the election period is a different arena that requires careful consideration of information flows.
According to the Wirtualnemedia.pl portal, TVP is not alone in re-evaluating collaborations with Wołoszański during the campaign. Reports indicated that Super Express would also pause cooperation with the KO candidate through October 15, including a program previously hosted by him. This pattern of editorial choices has fueled a broader discussion about media neutrality in contested political environments.
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Source: wPolityce