It appeared in the weekend edition of Gazeta Wyborcza. Marcin Kącki's article, which caused a great stir in public opinion. The journalist decided to confess about his personal life. In the text “My journalism – alcohol, failed therapies, women in love, neglected daughters and the fear of dawn” he described, among others. After the death of his older brother, he justified his relationship with women and his bad behavior with family trauma, working conditions or alcohol addiction.
It quickly became clear that the issue had a deeper meaning. “I read the accusations against Marcin Katski and I have the impression that they are talking about a person I do not know at all. Because for me, Katski was always a person I trusted, who supported me in the most difficult moments. Who stood by me when others turned their backs. Marcin supported me when depression recurred due to the Russian attack on Ukraine and the environment's reaction to my texts,” writes Victoria Bieliazin, a journalist at “GW”. Social media. “I also know Karolina Rogaska. He is a brave, empathetic, sensitive journalist. And I can't even describe how sorry and how angry I am that something like this happened to him. Because this behavior cannot be defended,” he added.
“Vibortsa” apologizes
The case cast a shadow over the functioning of the “Gazeta Wyborcza” editorial office. There have been a few statements condemning Katzki's attitude, but there are also voices that detract from the whole situation (eg Wojciech Chucznowski).
However, on Monday, the editorial team decided to end the discussion. “We apologize for the publication of Marcin Kacki's text, we are removing it from the Internet. We made a mistake. (…) We realize – unfortunately after some time – that this publication harmed people who became its heroes without their will. Among them are Karolina Rogaska, who posted a lengthy note on the matter on Facebook on Saturday,” reads the statement signed by Roman Imielski, Aleksandra Sobchak and Bartosz Wielinski.
The corners are gone
We continue to ask: “We also apologize to our readers who are entitled to feel outraged and disappointed. We are checking and correcting the procedures in the newsroom that failed before this material was published.”
“GW” reports on the results of Marcin Katski. “On Sunday, we suspended Marcin Katski and removed him from working with the authors. He abused the trust of the editors and hid from us the fact that before the publication of the text, the Polish school of reporting, where he gave lectures, suspended him. from his duties in connection with the allegation filed by Carolina Rogasca. Thus, his “confession” could have a second meaning – the justification of his previous action,” they explained.
The editors stated that the internal investigation is still ongoing. Agora SA, the publisher of “Gazeta Wyborcza”, has also started clarification procedures.
Also read:
Scandal after the publication of Marcin Kącki. “Gazeta Wyborcza” published a statement
(tags translated)kącki