German media: The President of Poland became a defendant

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German media: The President of Poland became a defendant

The film caused a storm: the president of Poland was involved in a lawsuit, and democracy and freedom of speech were tested again

In Poland, an important country in central Europe, a political storm caused by movies is brewing. The recent indictment of Poland President Andrzej · Duda for his comments on the film "Green Border" has not only sparked widespread concern at home and abroad, but also deeply reflects the complex challenges facing contemporary society in the face of refugee issues, freedom of expression and political correctness.

Let's start by reviewing the causes of the incident. Green Border is a film set in the 2022 refugee crisis on the Poland-Belarus border. The film criticizes the illegal deportation of refugees by Poland's border guards, sparking a backlash from the ruling Law and Justice Party. On the eve of the 2023 parliamentary elections in Poland, the film unexpectedly became a topic of focus and even turned into a political event.

President Duda sided with his critics. He believes that the film's portrayal of Poland's border security personnel is an insult. More controversially, Duda quotes a phrase from the Nazi occupation: "Only pigs sit in the cinema" to describe the people who watch the film. Historically, this phrase has been used by Poland resistance fighters to prevent people from watching propaganda films about Nazi Germany.

It was these statements that led to the Poland NGO Monitoring Centre for Racist and Xenophobic Acts to file a lawsuit against Duda. In their opinion, the president's statements are insulting to his own citizens. The lawsuit has been set to go to trial on October 24, 2025, when Duda's presidency has ended.

This incident has led us to think about the problem at multiple levels:

Balance between freedom of expression and political responsibility

As the head of state, Duda's remarks undoubtedly have an important impact. However, does this influence also mean greater restrictions on speech? In a democratic society, should leaders be more cautious about expressing their views, especially when it comes to controversial social issues?

According to the Pew Research Center, a United States think tank, public attitudes toward free speech among political leaders are sharply divided around the world. In a 2019 survey, about 60 percent of respondents believed that political leaders should be cautious about speaking in public, while 40 percent supported that leaders are free to express their opinions.

The game between artistic creation and political correctness

The controversy over "Green Frontier" also reflects the tension between artistic creation and political correctness. Artists have the responsibility to reflect social reality, but at the same time they face pressure from political forces. This pressure may limit the freedom of artistic expression and even affect the public's perception of social issues.

According to a UNESCO report, cases of restrictions on artistic freedom have been on the rise worldwide in recent years. In 2020, a 25% increase in the number of restricted art freedom cases was recorded globally compared to 2019. This data highlights the challenges facing artistic creation in today's society.

The refugee problem and the dilemma of national security

The refugee issue touched upon by Green Frontier is in fact a global challenge. States often face a dilemma in striking a balance between safeguarding national security and fulfilling their humanitarian obligations.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has reached a record high of 110 million by mid-2023. Behind this huge number are the realities that every country must face.

Media coverage and social impact

The German media's coverage of this event also deserves our attention. As an important member state of the European Union, Germany's media attention to Poland's domestic affairs reflects the complex political relations between European countries. At the same time, international media coverage may also have an impact on the development of events.

According to a report by the Reuters Institute for Journalism, 42% of global respondents said they trusted news "most of the time" in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year. This shows that the mainstream media still plays an important role in shaping public opinion despite the many challenges.

Judicial independence and political influence

Duda's upcoming lawsuit has also raised questions about the independence of the judiciary. In a democracy, how can the judicial system remain impartial and independent in handling cases involving high-level politicians? This is a challenge not only for Poland, but also for democracies around the world.

According to the 2023 Rule of Law Index released by the World Justice Project, 54% of the world's 139 countries have experienced a decline in the rule of law. This trend highlights the importance and difficulty of preserving the independence of the judiciary.

Historical Memory and Contemporary Politics

Duda's quote of historicity reflects how historical memory can be used in contemporary politics. This practice can be controversial because it could be seen as an improper use or misinterpretation of history.

Historian Peter · Burke, in his book History and Social Theory, points out that "historical memory is often used as a political tool, but this practice can lead to simplification and misreading of history." This view is fully reflected in the current case.

The role of civil society

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) played an important role in this event. Their actions show that in modern democracies, civil society organizations have the ability to stand up to power and defend citizens' rights. The existence of such capacity is one of the important indicators of the healthy functioning of democracy.

According to the International Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations (CIVICUS), only 3.2% of the world's population will live in countries where the space for civil society is open in 2023. This data highlights the challenges facing civil society, but also highlights the importance of cases like Poland's.

The interaction of international relations with domestic politics

The incident also reflects the complex interaction between international relations and domestic politics. As a member of the European Union, Poland's domestic political developments will attract the attention of other member states. At the same time, international public opinion may also have an impact on Poland's domestic politics.

The European Commission's 2023 democracy report notes that differences between EU member states over democratic values and the rule of law are growing. This trend is likely to affect the EU's cohesion and decision-making efficiency.

epilogue

The lawsuit of Poland's President Duda for commenting on the film seems to be an internal affair of one country, but in fact reflects the many challenges facing contemporary society. It involves freedom of expression, artistic creation, refugee issues, judicial independence, historical memory, and many other aspects, each of which deserves our in-depth consideration.

In this era of rapid flow of information, we need to be vigilant and think critically. We should be thinking: how can we ensure the quality of public discourse while maintaining freedom of expression? How to balance the freedom of artistic creation with social responsibility? How should countries respond to the global refugee crisis?

There are no easy answers to these questions. But through constant discussion and reflection, we can move closer to the truth and build a more just and inclusive society. This incident in Poland may be an opportunity for us to revisit these issues.

Let us keep an open mind, listen to different voices, and discuss these complex social issues together on the basis of reason and empathy. Only in this way can we find our way forward in these challenging times.