Should local government media serve all residents, and not just a select few? We encourage you to read the article by Anna Gmiterek-Zabłocka titled “Local Activist Takes on the Municipal Newspaper. ‘We Pay Taxes and Have Rights’”, in which Advocate Patrycja Rejnowicz-Janowska, Counsel at Jabłoński Koźmiński & Partners, representing Beata Mrukiewicz pro bono, gave a statement to Radio TOK FM regarding the controversy surrounding Merkuriusz Mszczonowski.

Restrictions on freedom of information

The case concerns Merkuriusz Mszczonowski, a local newspaper which, according to Beata Mrukiewicz, a candidate in local elections, unfairly refused to publish her election materials. Ms Mrukiewicz claims that the newspaper favoured the current mayor by only publishing his content while ignoring other candidates, leading to political discrimination.

Violation of the press law

As our expert, Advocate Patrycja Rejnowicz-Janowska, points out, the refusal to publish was entirely unfounded and infringed upon Ms Beata Mrukiewicz’s personal rights, such as the freedom of communication and the right to disseminate information. The refusal to publish the election material did not meet any of the grounds stipulated in Article 36 of the Press Law, rendering it unjustified. As a result, the newspaper’s actions constituted a violation of Ms Beata Mrukiewicz’s rights and were a clear instance of political discrimination.

Details available here.