The Slovenian Association of Patriotic Journalists (SZDN) strongly condemns the recent attack on Magdalena Ogórek, a Polish journalist colleague and TVP TV presenter, who has long been the target of attacks by aggressive liberal and progressive groups and individuals because of her straightforward positions.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right from which all other rights derive, and it is a right that enables society to develop liberties in general and democracy in particular. We would know of no other right today if it were not for freedom of speech. Freedom of speech means that you are free to express your opinion without fear of being harmed or threatened for your life because of your views.
Mrs Magdalena Ogórek is known for not having a filter between her brain and her tonque, and says what she thinks. This apparently bothers some people, including the political left. It is not a problem for Mrs Ogórková to be criticised. Anyone who speaks publicly and expresses their views publicly must expect to be criticised and to receive opposing opinions. It is a problem when one tries to prevent someone from expressing their views by attacking and physically intimidating them. Mrs Ogórková has experienced such attacks on several occasions, so the latest attack outside the TVP building was just one in of them. We therefore call on the Polish authorities to react firmly against people who physically threaten the television presenter.
The attack on Mrs Ogórková was not only an attack on freedom of speech, but also an attack on the fundamental values of a democratic society based on freedoms and fundamental rights. Such attacks are designed to intimidate. That is why the Slovenian Association of Patriotic Journalists expresses its support for our fellow journalist, Mrs Ogórková.
Slovenian Association of Patriotic Journalists,
Jože Biščak, president
Ljubljana, 24th of December 2021