However, the prosecutor's office is investigating whether the withdrawal of the “NIE” by Orlen and Pośta Polska is a crime.

03/01/2024, 12:30

The publisher of the weekly “NIE” suggests that the weekly will be back on sale in Poczta Polska branches (Photo: Wojciech Olkuśnik/East News)

The Prosecutor's Office explains that in March of last year, the controversial issue of the newspaper “NIE” from Ruch kiosks and branches of Poczta Polska. There were signs of suppression of press criticism. – I received a summons to give an explanation at the prosecutor's office – says Marta Mieczynska, president of Urma, publisher of the weekly “NIE”.

On the cover of the March 10 issue of last year. The editors presented a photo of John Paul II leaning on the cross, where a naked doll is installed instead of the figure of Christ.. It was intended to be a commentary on the controversy over Karol Wojtyła's role in covering up cases of pedophilia in the Catholic Church.

Suppression of press criticism

On the recommendation of the United Right, the heads of Orlen and Poczta Polska decided that the “NIE” cover offended religious sentiments and gradually removed it from weekly sales at PP branches, Orlen gas stations and Ruchi kiosks, the distributor of which Orlen is the main shareholder.

Also read: Malgorzata Daniszewska, widow of “Nie” owner Jerzy Urban, dies

After a protest from the publisher of NIE, the weekly returned to the Gray newsstands and Orléans stations in the next issue (March 17). But it is still not available in Poczta Polska branches.

The publisher of “NIE” thinks that the governing boards of Orlen and Pośta Polska suppressed criticism from the press. He emphasizes that freedom of the press is a value protected by art. 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. However, Art. Article 54 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press and other means of social communication.

According to Urma, implementation of the mentioned principle, among others, is provided by art. 3 of the Press Law, according to which “the employee of printing and distribution cannot limit or otherwise hinder the printing and purchase of newspapers, magazines or other press publications accepted for printing and distribution by the enterprise for their program line or because of them.” content.”

President of Urma: “We successfully applied”

The notification to the prosecutor's office on behalf of the publisher of “NIE” noted that Art. Section 44 Article 1 of the Press Law provides that anyone who prevents or suppresses criticism of the press shall be fined or restricted in their liberty. and art. Article 49 of the Press Law directly penalizes the violation of the article. 3 of this law.

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Last July, the prosecutor's office refused to open an investigation into suppression of press criticism by state-owned companies PKN Orlen and Poczta Polska, which pulled the March 10 issue of the weekly “NIE” from sale.

Urma president Marta Mieczynska emphasizes that the decision of the prosecutor's office, which was then controlled by the United Right, was issued without a substantial study of the case. – We appealed this decision. effectively. I hope that after the changes in the justice system, our message will be considered in substance – says Marta Mieczynska. “I also assume that after the change of government of the Polish Post Office, our weekly newspaper will be available for sale in its shops,” he notes.

Also read: The weekly “NIE” remains on the market, although probably without Andrzej Roseneck, who is no longer an MP.

(JF, 03/01/2024)

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