Selecting the finalist group in the first “Local e-Journalism Awards 2025” competition was a huge challenge for the jury—especially in such highly competitive categories as “News” and “Opinion.” There were more than half a thousand entries. The shortlist of nominees for news awards contained only five articles.
“As journalists from the national media, we have always looked with admiration and respect at the work of local media,” TVN journalist Krzysztof Skórzyński said at the “Local e-Journalism Awards 2025” gala. “Why? Because behind us stand large corporations and large teams of lawyers. If we were to make a mistake, we would have a meeting with lawyers who would say: don’t be afraid, we’ll defend you in any courtroom. Real, genuine, courageous journalism is found precisely in local media,” the journalist added.
The istotne.pl article “A Piarist from Bolesławiec leads a double life. He passionately talks about his erotic journeys” took second place. The results were announced on March 18 in Warsaw.
“This is truly a great celebration for us,” says Grażyna Hanaf. “The work of a local journalist is difficult, and no one expects fireworks. We work for the community, and we are truly very proud of the article and film about Father Piotr from the Bolesławiec Piarist school. They expose hypocrisy—the lack of moral principles in someone who, as a monk, is untouchable. For me, receiving an email from a student of that school thanking us for revealing the truth, as well as comments from women and men from Bolesławiec congratulating us, was already a tremendous distinction. The Local e-Journalism Awards 2025 prize emphasizes our professionalism, reliability and the journalistic craft we represent,” the journalist adds.
The film about the Piarist monk nominated for the main award, “Virtue and body...”
The nomination in the second competition, SGL Local Press 2025, is already the third distinction for istotne.pl journalists Krzysztof Gwizdała and Grażyna Hanaf. In 2024, journalists were recognized in this way for the film “Who Is Adrian”; in 2025, for the film “What Do Priests Do When They Take Off Their Cassocks?”. In 2026, for the film “Virtue and Body. How a Monk Lost His Reputation and Job at a Piarist School in Bolesławiec.”
It should also be added that before the film was published, the law office of legal adviser Barbara Kleśta, hired by the Polish Province of the Order of Piarists, sent the editorial office a demand to cease violating the personal rights of the Piarist school in Bolesławiec and to remove all the materials about Father Piotr that we had published.
After the publication of the film “Who Is Adrian?” lawsuits were brought against us in Jelenia Góra and Bolesławiec. You can help with the legal battle against Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz from the first film and support us in writing articles about the bishop of Legnica and the problems faced by many parishioners throughout the diocese.
Please support us—here is the address where you can make a payment: zrzutka.pl/hb6dc7
If you would like to provide us with information, contact us by email at redakcja@istotne.pl. We will answer every question.