Death of Barbara Skrzypek Sparks Heated Debate on TVP’s Woronicza 17

The topic of Barbara Skrzypek’s death surfaced unexpectedly on TVP’s Woronicza 17, despite the host’s initial intention to discuss the war in Ukraine. A heated exchange erupted in the studio when the discussion turned to Skrzypek’s recent questioning by the prosecution, with PiS politicians accusing the journalist of manipulation.

Barbara Skrzypek’s passing has shaken the Polish political landscape. For years, she was not only a close associate of Jarosław Kaczyński, the director of PiS’s Presidential Office, and a board member of the Srebrna company, but also a personal friend of Kaczyński. The news of her death was first reported by Telewizja Republika, which used the tragic event to fuel anti-government rhetoric.

“Barbara Skrzypek was hounded by Tusk’s regime. She is the first victim of the December 13th regime,” wrote Tomasz Sakiewicz on platform X. A similar narrative was echoed on Republika, where the prosecution—who had recently questioned Skrzypek over the Two Towers scandal—was blamed for her death. Jarosław Kaczyński himself adopted the same stance.

The prosecution responded immediately, emphasizing that Skrzypek’s questioning “took place in a very respectful atmosphere” and that no complaints had been filed regarding the proceedings. The office also issued a statement warning that linking her death to the questioning could lead to “civil proceedings aimed at protecting the reputation of the institution and the case investigator.”

The accusations against the prosecution have stirred intense emotions among both media and PiS politicians. Minister Błażej Poboży appeared on TVP Info’s Woronicza 17, expecting Skrzypek’s death to be the main topic of discussion. However, host Kamila Biedrzycka chose to open with the ongoing war in Ukraine instead.

“I’m a bit surprised that you chose this topic to start with. We’re on a news channel, and it seems that the public has been far more electrified in the past 24 hours by another piece of domestic news,” Poboży interjected.

Biedrzycka eventually agreed to shift the discussion but didn’t hold back in her response to the PiS official.

“In my journalistic career, I have never danced on graves. I believe that starting a heated political debate with Mrs. Skrzypek’s death would not have been the right approach,” she remarked.

Her words angered PiS politician Radosław Fogiel, who rebuked the journalist. When asked whether he was directly accusing the prosecution of Skrzypek’s death, he responded, “I am not accusing anyone—I am merely stating facts. Viewers can judge for themselves what really happened.”