In a significant turn of events, a journalist for the Polish state broadcaster has publicly apologized for the channel’s role in promoting anti-LGBT sentiment. Wojciech Szelag, the host of TVP Info, expressed remorse for the “shameful” spread of hateful words targeting LGBT individuals over the past years. This move comes as Poland undergoes a transition of power, with pro-EU Prime Minister Donald Tusk introducing reforms to the state broadcaster. The apology was made during the Guest of the Evening show, where two LGBT activists were present to hear the heartfelt expression of regret.
Szelag emphasized that members of the LGBT community are not an ideology but real people with specific names, faces, loved ones, and friends. He acknowledged the pain caused by the channel’s past actions and sought to rectify it by issuing a public apology. The significance of this apology should not be underestimated, as it highlights a remarkable shift in the country’s media landscape.
Under the previous governing Law and Justice party (PiS) from 2015 to 2023, TVP Info faced substantial criticism for its alleged role as a government mouthpiece. The opposition accused the channel of spreading propaganda, while PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski frequently expressed disdain for individuals identifying as LGBT, blaming Western Europe for introducing what he deemed “alien ideas.”
President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, referred to LGBT as an “ideology” rather than acknowledging them as human beings during his 2020 re-election campaign. This rhetoric created a hostile environment for LGBT individuals in Poland, with TVP Info being utilized as a tool to propagate hate against the community.
In a significant move towards depoliticizing state media, Minister of Culture Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz dismissed top officials of TVP Info on 20 December, leading to the channel being temporarily taken off the air. The action aimed to restore the credibility and independence of the state broadcaster, which one-third of the population relies on for their primary source of information. The Warsaw-based Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights condemned PiS for transforming the publicly-funded broadcaster into a propaganda outlet for the ruling party.
Despite initial resistance from PiS politicians who occupied TVP Info’s headquarters in protest, the channel resumed broadcasting on 29 December with an altered editorial line. The appointment of Wojciech Szelag as a host in January marked another personnel change initiated by the new government.
It is noteworthy that the new management of TVP Info has not only apologized for spreading anti-LGBT hate but also for its role in attacks against Pawel Adamowicz, the former mayor of Gdansk who championed liberal politics and supported LGBT rights. This acknowledgment of past wrongdoings and the commitment to change is crucial for rebuilding trust and fostering a more inclusive media environment.
Polish LGBT activists have long criticized TVP Info for its instrumental role in perpetuating anti-LGBT sentiment during PiS rule. In 2020, a court ordered the channel to remove an anti-LGBT film, titled “Invasion,” from YouTube, further highlighting the harmful content disseminated by the broadcaster.
The recent apology from Wojciech Szelag and the ongoing reform of TVP Info indicate a significant step towards acknowledging the harmful impact of spreading anti-LGBT sentiment and fostering a more inclusive media landscape in Poland. However, it remains imperative to monitor the actions of the state broadcaster going forward and ensure that it upholds its commitment to providing unbiased and respectful coverage to all communities within the country.
