The freedom of the press and the right to information are fundamental pillars of democracy and integral to the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5), particularly its Article 10. These standards, binding on all Council of Europe member States, guarantee the right to receive information and ensure access to media without unjustifiable interference by public authorities.
In Poland, concerns have been raised over the exclusion of TV Republika, one of the country’s largest news outlets, from official government press conferences, including those held by crisis management teams during the recent floods. This exclusion restricts media pluralism and undermines the public’s right to receive accurate information during a national crisis.
Denying a major broadcaster access to public briefings violates media freedom and poses a serious threat to democratic standards. In times of emergency, the public’s need for diverse and reliable sources of information is vital. Excluding specific media outlets risks distorting the public narrative and erodes trust in the transparency and impartiality of the government.
This exclusion contravenes Poland's obligations under Council of Europe standards. The Polish Government must immediately ensure equal access to official press events for all media, especially during national crises.
The Parliamentary Assembly should call on Polish authorities to guarantee free and fair media access to all press conferences and to respect media pluralism and transparency. The Assembly should also investigate these violations and urge Poland to fulfill its commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights, reaffirming its dedication to shared democratic values across Europe.