Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This sentiment rings true in the case of Tusk, whose power is becoming increasingly absolute, leading him to target anyone who opposes him – including opposition politicians, the media, and even the Church. It is important to note that the government that came into power on December 13, 2023, is the most anti-clerical since the democratic shift in 1989. The prime minister, known for his “Europeanist” views, has taken control of public television and other media outlets, dismantled the prosecutor’s office, and now has set his sights on attacking the Church, a symbol of independence and freedom in Poland. In his crosshairs are the Catholic media outlets supported by the Redemptorist fathers: Radio Maria, Trwam TV, Nasz Dziennik, and their director, Father Tadeusz Rydzyk. The mainstream media, fueled by Tusk’s attacks, continues to propagate anti-Catholic propaganda.
Recently, a serious incident occurred when agents of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau raided the Lux Veritatis Foundation, home to Trwam TV, at the request of the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszów. This move was not arbitrary, as they were seeking documents related to the Foundation’s collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for the construction of the Museum of Memory and Identity. The case revolves around former Culture Minister Piotr Gliński, accused of funding the museum. The accusation seems absurd, considering it criminalizes support for cultural institutions. Notably, the museum presents Poland’s history through the lens of John Paul II, highlighting the evils of totalitarian systems in the twentieth century. It is a vital cultural and historical institution under attack.
Despite no evidence of wrongdoing, Tusk continues to insinuate corruption within these institutions to tarnish the former Minister of Culture’s reputation. The relentless attacks on Father Rydzyk, Radio Maria, and the Church have not gone unnoticed by Bishop Emeritus Mons. Wiesław Mering and Professor Janusz Kawecki, who condemn Tusk’s actions as destructive to the country’s unity and values.
The campaign of manipulation and lies against Father Rydzyk persists, with false reports circulating online. The defamation campaign extends to state-run Polish television, which aired a program distorting the truth about the founding of the Museum dedicated to John Paul II. This propaganda aims to influence public opinion ahead of the crucial presidential elections in Poland.
Tusk’s assault on media freedom poses a threat to democracy in Poland, yet the silence from Brussels is deafening. As the country faces a pivotal moment, it is imperative to defend the principles of freedom of speech and media pluralism against authoritarian tendencies.
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This text was originally published in La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana.
