Media Ethics Council rules against Tygodnik Poradnik Rolniczy

The Media Ethics Council (REM) has ruled that the publication ‘Tygodnik Poradnik Rolniczy’ violated the principles of freedom and responsibility. The decision follows a complaint filed by Professor Henryk Runowski of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

Professor Runowski alleged that the weekly magazine engaged in unethical and unreliable reporting regarding a neighbor dispute in northern Mazovia. Specifically, he criticized the publication of a one-sided and harmful video that omitted materials relevant to legal violations on a farm in Brzeżno. He also noted that the outlet tolerated negative and intimidating comments directed at him.

The professor argued that the reporting constituted baseless defamation and humiliation, potentially damaging his professional reputation and standing. The Council noted that the content in question could potentially violate criminal statutes regarding defamation, insult, and criminal threats.