Channel Zero journalists tried to show that Minister Marcin Kierwiński organized a “crib” and, despite his urgent dismissal from the government meeting, did not go – as he announced in the broadcast recording – to Głuchołazy, which was destroyed by the flood. However, they did not bother to check that the recording was from almost two months ago, when Kierwiński was actually in this city. Channel Zero apologized, but material with false information is still available on the Internet.
On Thursday evening, a “special program” regarding the effects of flooding in southwestern Poland was held in Kanał Zero. Hosts and reporters criticized the government for not providing adequate assistance to flood victims.
A few minutes after the start of the program, host Robert Mazurek said that “a video of the Prime Minister sending his minister into the world during a government meeting was spread across Poland today.” – What am I going to tell you, let's see what it looked like – Mazurek announced and the video was broadcast.
It was a recording showing a fragment of a government meeting. You can hear the Prime Minister on it Donald Tuskawho says that he “promised Minister Kierwiński that he would let him go much faster because he was supposed to be in Głuchołazy today.” – Thank you for this exemption from the rest of the Council of Ministers. If the Prime Minister allows, I will go away and keep you updated on the situation there, says Kierwiński. – Let's go, Minister, there's no point in waiting – replied Tusk.
The reporter was looking for Kierwiński in Głuchołazy
Mazurek then connected with reporter Dawid Chęci, who went to Głuchołazy. – Imagine that we haven't met (with Minister Kierwiński). I started walking around Głuchołazy and asked people if they had seen the minister. They didn't see him. I called the city hall and he wasn't seen there either. From what I found out, the mayor did not meet Minister Kierwiński personally – said the reporter.
In response, Mazurek was ironic. – You're lying. The whole of Poland saw how the minister got up, could not participate in the government meeting and went to Głuchołazy. Dawid, I am offended by how manipulative you are. I don't believe in it, he said. The next conversation was with the mayor of Głuchołazy, Paweł Szymkowicz. He asked him if Kierwiński had arrived there on Thursday.
– I haven't met the minister and we have no information about him coming, although he is a frequent guest in Głuchołazy. His first trip to the flood areas right after his appointment was to our city – he said. Mazurek asked: – What was this nativity scene for? “It's hard to say,” the mayor replied.
Recording from almost two months ago
The matter would be easier to understand if the employees of Channel Zero, instead of looking for Kierwiński in Głuchołazy, checked what recording they were showing before broadcasting. It was registered on September 28, during a government meeting held just after Kierwiński was appointed minister responsible for combating the effects of the flood. Then Kierwiński actually went to Głuchołazy.
There was no government meeting on Thursday. Kierwiński was in the Sejm that day, where he participated in the extraordinary committee for flood prevention activities and removing the effects of the flood.
Kierwiński at a meeting of the parliamentary committee. Photo from November 21PAP/Radek Pietruszka
Kierwiński on the “outright lie”
Kierwiński criticized the disinformation of Channel Zero on X. He accused Mazurek of an “outright lie”. “This is Messrs. Mazurek and Stanowski (owner of Kanał Zero – ed.) a disgusting lie and plain, impudent hate. On my Instagram you can easily find photos in the company of the mayor from my visit on September 28. Mr. Mazurek, the profession of a journalist requires basic decency, which you as you can see, it is deprived,” wrote the minister.
Channel Zero apologizes, but the material is still available
On Friday morning, Channel Zero admitted its mistake and published an apology. “We provided unverified information that Marcin Kierwiński was supposed to appear in Głuchołazy, but he did not arrive there. This is our mistake, for which we apologize to both you and the minister,” we read.
The entire “special program”, along with false information about Kierwiński, is still available on Kanał Zero's YouTube channel.
Main photo source: PAP/Radek Pietruszka