At readers’ request, Boleslawiec.org wanted to prepare an extensive report on the renovation of the market square. We wanted municipal officials and the city architect, among others, to appear in the video material and discuss plans to beautify our old town and how the work would be financed. After waiting a week, we learned from the City Hall press spokesperson that Mayor Piotr Roman had not agreed to the city architect appearing on camera for Boleslawiec.org. This surprised us, as the architect had previously been allowed to appear on local television. In a conversation with spokesperson Agnieszka Gergont, it also turned out that she too was forbidden from saying anything on camera.
“Public authorities have a duty to provide information. Such behavior is unbecoming of a representative of public authority,” says Józef Burniak, a former mayor of the city. “Whenever someone approached me with questions, I provided such information,” comments Hubert Prabucki, a former deputy mayor and councillor from Ziemia Bolesławiecka. “A spokesperson should provide information that is not available on the website,” says Jarosław Kowalski, of the Law and Justice party, from which the mayor comes. “This is extraordinary; such things should not happen at all,” comments Cezariusz Rudyk, a councillor from the Civic Platform caucus.
During Wednesday’s city council session, we managed to film the press spokesperson and the mayor. Piotr Roman’s behavior suggests that his personal animosities influence the decisions he makes. Even Agnieszka Gergont found it difficult to explain her boss’s behavior. “He did not explain to me why… he forbade it… and… there is no such information that he forbade it,” said the confused spokesperson.
Boleslawiec.org is a registered press title and operates under Polish press law. During the most recent local elections, Boleslawiec.org was the only outlet to report reliably, for example, on the court cases won and lost by the mayoral candidates—Piotr Roman, Józef Burniak and Karol Stasik. Other local media reported on Piotr Roman’s successes and tried to keep quiet about his lost case.
Below, you can express your opinion. At Boleslawiec.org, we value comments from all readers.
(KG information)