AJC CE Speaks Up Against Antisemitic Broadcasts on Polish Public TV

On June 15 Polish public television broadcasted a news bulletin that included obvious antisemitic tropes. Wiadomosci TVP’s news service used the myth of “Jewish organizations” allegedly seeking to extort billions in property restitution, in order to smear a presidential candidate.

“Experts are certain. The stream of money that is flowing from the state budget into the pockets of Polish families will dry up if Trzaskowski, after a potential victory in the presidential election, seeks to satisfy Jewish claims,”

– TVP reported, referring to Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who is considered the leading candidate among nine hopefuls running against the incumbent, Andrzej Duda.

To illustrate, TVP used pictures of Israel, Jewish philanthrope George Soros, piles of cash and the Auschwitz death camp. We could not remain silent. Our acting director Sebastian Rejak filed a complaint with the Media Ethics Council. The wider public learned about our steps from a piece published by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily. The Media Ethics Council immediately issued a statement fully supporting the complaint, and even stated that the antisemitic material “harms Poland’s interest.” The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported on the issue, quoting AJC’s appeal.

On July 13, AJC CE, the Union of Jewish Communities in Poland and the Chief Rabbi of Poland filed a complaint with the Media Ethics Council reproaching the public television with using antisemitic tropes in their broadcast. The panel supported the complaint and suggested to also address the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT). Read about our efforts in the Jerusalem Post, and in Polish on Onet.