One of Poland’s leading liberal newspapers removed its own article which strongly criticized LGBT activist Bart Staszewski for his misinformation operation that led foreign media outlets and politicians to believe there were actual “LGBT-free zones” in Poland.
These zones do not in fact exist. Staszewski put up his own “LGBT-free zone” signs in certain Polish municipalities in a campaign that has helped smear Poland’s image internationally.
The newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza, has since removed the article written by Piotr Głuchowski from the paper’s website at Wyborcza.pl, which now only displays a “page not found” error.
Recently, Gazeta Wyborcza had conducted a huge promotion campaign in which it put up billboards around Poland with the slogan “FREEDOM OF SPEECH”. Now, it appears that an LGBT activist dictates what the paper can and cannot publish.
“This is not only pathetic, but also cowardly. Paralyzed by fear, the paper’s editorial board censors itself to not appear as not politically correct,” writes Facebook user Nagroda Złotego
Staszewski was initially outraged by the article’s publishing and threatened a lawsuit through social media.
“A disgusting, manipulative text written by Gazeta Wyborcza. I am seeing my lawyers today. This is joining the right-wing attack against activists,” he wrote.
Obrzydliwy, pełen manipulacji tekst @gazeta_wyborcza. Widzę się dzisiaj z prawnikami aby rozważyć kroki prawne. To jest dołączenie do nagonki prawicowej szczujni w nagonce na aktywistów https://t.co/oKnQ9EWioL
— Bart Staszewski ?️??? (@BartStaszewski) September 25, 2020
After the article was removed, Staszewski expressed joy on his Twitter account.
“Gazeta Wyborcza removed its article. Well done, only the stench of the right remains. Maybe a proper analysis should go in its place?”
No i @gazeta_wyborcza usunęła tekst. Bardzo dobrze tylko smród i spazmy prawicy pozostały. Może jakaś rzeczowa analiza na jego miejsce? pic.twitter.com/748WYG8Rl3
— Bart Staszewski ?️??? (@BartStaszewski) September 25, 2020
According to unofficial information, other Gazeta Wyborcza employees were told to not comment on the removal of the article.
