THERE IS NO FREEDOM WITHOUT SOLIDARITY 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza Photo: Anna Biała /AG FOREWORD | 30 years of the Gazeta Wyborcza

Adam Michnik

Photo: Sławomir Sierzputowski/AG Editor-in-Chief

hirty years ago, we started more Our ideal has always been a free than modestly, on the premises Poland and human freedom in Poland. of a former nursery. Editorial Poland, a common homeland for all its Tmeetings sometimes took place in the citizens. Poland of truth and reconcilia- sandbox. There was little space for tion, dialogue and tolerance. Poland, anything as the journalists wrote their a state without hostility and hate. Poland articles sitting at low children tables. secure within NATO and democratic 2 The first edition of Gazeta Wyborcza within the European Union. 3 opened with the words of Lech Wałęsa, Today, Gazeta Wyborcza is being “There is no freedom without Solidarity”. taken over by a new generation. Still, Since then, Gazeta Wyborcza has chan- we all are thinking with gratitude about ged beyond recognition, as has Poland. our readers who have remained faithful Today, Gazeta Wyborcza is part of and who usually begin their corre- a media group listed on the stock ex- spondence to us with sacred words: change. It is growing dynamically on the “My name is Jan Kowalski and I have internet, and for the last thirty years, been a reader of Gazeta Wyborcza it has remained an important, opinion- since the first edition...” setting voice in the Polish debate. I can assure you of one thing, our

CONTENTS We were born when Poland was Friends and Readers - that even as the reborn. We are also a part of the great years pass on, we will never stop caring historical success - civic, economic and for Poland, and that democracy, free Foreword...... 3 democratic - although the Polish demo- courts, human rights, the Constitution Photo: Sławomir Sierzputowski/AG cracy today is being tested in the fight and Europe will always have a devoted All About Elections Again.....4 with the nationalist/populist government. defender in Gazeta Wyborcza. Digital First...... 6 World in Images...... 8 Community Newspaper...... 10 On the Side of Women...... 12 Stories Worth Revisiting...... 14 Local Impact...... 18 More Than Just a Newspaper...... 20 Wyborcza Live...... 24 Numbers Behind Us...... 26 Photo: Tomasz Wierzejski/AG Photo: Tomasz ▲ Editorial meetings in the first hedaquarter of Gazeta Wyborcza - a nursery at Iwicka street ALL ABOUT ELECTIONS AGAIN | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza Gazeta Wyborcza ALL ABOUT ELECTIONS AGAIN

hirty years ago the democratic part (180,000) directly reaches the has been given to us for good and it opposition led by Lech Wałęsa computer, tablet and phone screeds can only get better. We fell victim to our under the banner of Solidarity of our modern readers in the form Polish fatalism. Tsat down for discussions with its hated of a paid subscription. They are our Today we are back to the beginning. enemy - the communist party. Until then, ambassador as they share our content On our 30th anniversary, our fate has both sides spoke to each other with the on Facebook and Twitter. Although it still looped back on itself. Gazeta Wyborcza language of conflict: protests, strikes, happens that, like in the good old days, is again Election Gazette. rocks, police batons, tear gas and intern on the streets paper couriers hand out Gazeta Wyborcza is not just 450 camps. There were also deadly bullets. Gazeta Suwerena, which many times journalists and editors. It is not just 804 Martial law claimed several dozen lives. has delivered information and words of people in Warsaw and 21 local newsro- And then something amazing happe- support to people who in huge numbers oms. Gazeta Wyborcza is You. Jarosław Kurski ned. Poles, instead of dying on the have turned to the streets to defend First Deputy Editor-in-Chief barricades, which has been a tradition, democracy, the Constitutional Tribunal, decided to talk. Not even one window free courts, free media and teachers. was broken. The Round Table brought There is no editorial independen- partially free elections and free press. ce without financial independence. This is why Gazeta Wyborcza in Fortunately, our readers are the main In order for a traditional Polish means the Election Gazette. guardians of our independence, who Because as the first independent new- testify this each day through their deci- newspaper that we 4 spaper in the Soviet bloc from the Elbe sion to buy our newspaper both in the were 30 years ago 5 to Vladivostok was to present to the analogue and digital worlds. Polish citizens the first really indepen- This is a great responsibility for us. not to get lost in the dent and democratic candidates to the We feel that we are more to them than era of information and new national Parliament and Senate. just a source of information, of which It worked. All but one of the Soli- there are many in the internet world. information technology darity candidates won seats in the new We are THEIR newspaper, which descri- revolution, we must parliament. bes and co-defines their world. To commemorate that victory we Through our mission, expressed be co-creating this kept the name Gazeta Wyborcza. in the words “It’s not all the same to revolution. Although today we give this an additio- us” and “There is no freedom without nal meaning. solidarity”, from the very first editions Jerzy Wójcik Each edition of our newspaper is of Gazeta Wyborcza it became not just Publisher a choice for us. Each day we choose: a free medium, but an institution of democracy, separation of powers, civic life. respect of the constitution, human This year is unique because it Through our mission, rights, free speech, conscious and brings together all of the anniversaries expressed in the words faith, equality under the law, tolerance, in which Gazeta Wyborcza played an separation of Church and State, Europe. essential part. The first non-communist “It’s not all the same We choose everything that speaks to the prime minister, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, to us” and “There is character of our newspaper: on the one took officer 30 years ago after Adam hand, about the liberal dimension of Michnik’s article, “Your president, our no freedom without an individual and solidarity in the social prime minister”. Twenty years ago, solidarity”, from the very dimension. Poland joined NATO, leaving behind our A democratic society is an aware national and historical fatalism. Fifteen first editions of Gazeta and well-informed society. In order for years ago we became a member of Wyborcza it became not a traditional newspaper that we were the European Union. Our membership 30 years ago not to get lost in the era of changed the face of Poland... just a free medium, but information and information technology There is a saying in Poland: “Don’t an institution of civic life. revolution, we must be co-creating this worry about how bad it is because it will revolution. And even though a large get better. Only worry when it’s good part of our output (100,000 copies because it will get worse”. Unfortuna- Front page on average) can be bought in kiosks tely, we did not worry enough. We over- of the first edition of in as a printed copy, an even larger slept a little. We decided that democracy Gazeta Wyborcza - May 8th 1989 ⊲ DIGITAL FIRST | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

This required completely new skills the tea-cher’s strike or protest of the that had previously not been seen at handicapped people. Together with the newspaper. Some member of the our readers, we stand to defend those team have news experience, but many in need. They buy access to our articles came to us from other businesses. and we transfer the money to a worthy We have people specialising in UX, cause. Number of digital subscriptions Digital FIRST performance marketing, business The community can be also seen (in thousands) analysts and those with e-commerce every day in our comments section. he readership of Gazeta In 2022, Gazeta Wyborcza wants experience. And who would have Only subscribers have access to the 200 Wyborcza has continued to grow to have 327,000 digital subscribers. thought that a newspaper would need discussions because we value their in recent years thanks to digital In 2018, we had 170,000. This is the a copywriter? opinion the most. We can see which 170 Tsubscriptions. We have more than 15th highest number in the world, even But this range of specialists gives texts they appreciate and how they 170,000 of them, giving us the 15th though we compete with newspapers us the power to effectively transform comment on them. We have to be spot in the world. At the same time, with a global reach. the newspaper, discover why the careful because every error will be 150 thanks to joining the digital world, we The Online Strategy team is re- readers are on board and how to invite spotted. 133 Danuta Breguła are rediscovering the value of journa- sponsible for the everyday contact with new generations of readers. The conclusions are encouraging: Head of Digital Strategy lism and are guaranteeing it a future. subscribers. We create offers, build Of course, this transformation those who are always with us expect In February 2014, hardly anybody sales systems, serve clients and care has a direct effect on our company’s high quality. They only want proven, 100 predicted success. Gazeta Wyborcza about the money and the satisfaction financial results. The business model is reliable information. This is the content 100 was the first daily in Poland that de- of our readers. changing. Today, 21 percent of Gazeta worth writing. This is great news in the cided that readers should pay for news We are a team that helps change Wyborcza’s revenue comes from digital era of fake news, half-truths and the 77 Mateusz Szaniewski and articles on the internet. Thanks the way we all work at the newspa- sources. Importantly, most of the free circulation of pseudo-information. Subscription Marketing Team to a digital subscription, readers have per. We cooperate with virtually all revenue comes from the readers, not We believe that the foundation of 55 full access to our articles. And we write of the departments. Key to success advertisers. This highlights, even more, our success in digital subscriptions is 50 a lot of them - 400-500 each day. is the daily talks and meetings with our responsibility to our loyal readers respect for loyal readers. The subscri- Without a subscription, access to them the newsroom because it is the heart who trust us. bers are our reference point. We want is limited. of the newspaper. We talk about the These are not random readers. to deliver our most interesting articles The system was a hit from the start. figures, show a new approach in which A subscriber visits our services four to them, the people who are really in- At the end of 2014, we had 55,000 journalists can discover new value times as much on average than a non- terested in good journalism. Every day 0 6 paid digital subscriptions. Since in their articles. We are working on an paying user. And when she visits, she we aim not to disappoint their trust. 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 7 then we have ended each year well intelligent and effective transformation spends three times as much time here ahead of our own, ambitious goals. of journalism in a digital world. than other readers. Each new subscriber gives us the green light to take on difficult journa- Quality and independent listic investigations, time-consuming journalism has it’s price series, reports and the protection of civil liberties and democratic order. that is worth paying. Our journalists regularly win the most I enjoy reading online, important national awards. Their acknowledged work is possible thanks it has lots of benefits, to the support of loyal readers. like comment section, Subscribers clearly value the con- tent, which we also see as the most va- where you can confront luable: our investigations or reports in your views with others. Large Format, our weekly with in-depth reporting. Many subscriptions regularly bring articles from Gazeta Wyborcza’s local newsrooms. This was clearly seen in the autumn of 2018. Local reporting is our great strength. In the summer of 2017, we could see how the involvement of our newsroom in important civic causes translates into results. The readers could see that we were together with them on the city streets in protests that lasted several weeks in the defence of the independent judiciary. We provided 24/7 coverage. It was Wyborcza.pl where they received full information but also felt a sense of community. This community of values is very important to us. You can see it in charity drives, which we conduct Digital subscriptions team ⊲ in important moments, such as during ▲ Gazeta Wyborcza's mobile app WORLD IN IMAGES | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza WORLD Beata Łyżwa-Sokół Head of Photo Departament and Agencja Gazeta IN IMAGES

f you were to divide the 10 million photos from the archive Agencja Gazeta, which was launched in 1994

by Gazeta Wyborcza’s photo department, by the Photo: Sławomir Kamiński Inumber of days since then, you would learn that around 1,000 photos are created every day. They depict the current events in Poland and in the world in the paper edition of the newspaper and magazines, appear on the internet pages of Wyborcza.pl and Gazeta.pl and many other news media, including Reuters, the world’s largest photo news agency. Photo: Bartosz Bańka Photo: Agnieszka Sadowska Photo: Agnieszka

8 9 Photo: Sławomir Kamiński Photo: Krzysztof Miller Photo: Agata Grzybowska Photo: Agata Photo: Adam Stępień Photo: Adam Photo: Krzysztof Miller Photo: Kuba Atys Photo: Kuba

And yet, photos are not just numbers, but stories. The most important ones, painting the history of Poland and the world over the last 30 years, and those less spectacular, depicting the fate of individual people in the furthers corners of the world. Over the last three decades, the photo reporters of Agencja Gazeta have documented the changes in Poland, Romania, Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa. They took readers to the armed conflicts, coups and revolutions in places like Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo and Rwanda. They documented the visits of the greatest sta- tesmen and papal visits; painted the portraits of outstanding artists. From the early days, they are close to people, revealing them with exceptional sensitivity in their moments of

Photo: Adam Stępień Photo: Adam success, but also in the middle of the most painful defeats or tragedy. Agencja Gazeta represents dozens of photographers, winners of prestigious prizes in competitions that include World Press Photo, Grand Press Photo, BZ WBK Press Photo

and Polish Press Photo Competition. Photo: Krzysztof Miller COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

ASSISTANCE CAMPAIGNS Gazeta Wyborcza readers are not indif- Wyborcza IS YOU ferent to the fate of the aggrieved and those in need. The newspaper organises assistance campaigns that are met with yborcza is You is also surveys In nearly 15,000 letters to the to organise running events for their an incredible reaction. Often these cam- conducted among the users newsroom, women described their residents. paigns are created as a reaction to the of wyborcza.pl. Thanks to experiences from maternity wards, gave In another project, three Gazeta suggestions from our readers. We could Wthese surveys we learn the views of examples of violations of patient’s rights Wyborcza editors wrote anonymous always count on them. Regardless of our readers about their core views and and expectations for hospitals and me- letters to their fathers. These were whether the campaigns supported the political preferences. dical staff. It seemed that a revolution moving testimonials of the difficult protesting handicapped people, striking The team at Wyborcza is You was not possible. Today, everything has relations of the then forty-somethin- teachers, organisations somewhat for- immediately reacts to the groundbre- changed, also thanks to the intervention gs with their parents. The reaction gotten by the government, endangered aking developments that take place by Gazeta Wyborcza. exceeded all expectations. We received species or simply the idea of planting in Poland by, for example, preparing In the 1990s, instead of joggers, you letters from hundreds of Poles who trees - the response was amazing. Many Waldemar Paś a free edition of Gazeta Suwerena that could spot a deer in parks and forests. in an anonymous manner wanted to of these campaigns are conducted in line Head of Readers’ Engagement describe events such as the protests in A decade later, Poland has transformed settle accounts with their fathers who with a prove scheme: the money from Department defence of the courts in July 2017 and from the running backwater to a jogging were either absent or badly present in a Wyborcza.pl subscription is transferred again in July 2018. In May 2018, Gazeta nation. Gazeta Wyborcza has played their childhood. This was a collective to a specific cause. Suwerena accompanied the protests of a part in this change in Poles’ habits. national therapy that led to the intro- ⊲ In spring 2018, people with disabilities the handicapped in the Sejm. In 2006, we began, along with RMF duction of parental leave for fathers and their families protested in the Sejm In April 2019, the newsroom pu- FM, a campaign called “Poland runs”. in the labour code. for 40 days. Gazeta Wyborcza readers blished a free Gazeta for teachers, stu- We began to persuade readers to take And the letters were turned in were angered by the callousness of dents and parents for the first days on part in this sport and local governments a book that was a bestseller. the politicians towards the protesters. the teachers’ strike. The special editions Thanks to their generosity, we collected are distributed in Poland’s largest cities. €35,000 for the protesters. Wyborcza is You During such events, interaction with the ⊲ Each year, Gazeta Wyborcza takes (Wyborcza to Wy) is readers is especially important. Before part in the Great Orchestra of the Christ- a newsroom initiative the teachers’ strike, we invited readers mas Charity (WOSP), Poland’s most fa- azeta Wyborcza, since its creation, 10 representing this profession to describe mous charity organisation. In 2019, our Ghas always been devoted to 11 that opens up Gazeta their workday. This way we created readers collected more than €58,000 in social causes. We have not just written a service called “My teacher’s day” the WOSP virtual piggy bank. about issues most important to us. Wyborcza to its readers. - letters from teachers published both ⊲ Thanks to our readers, we collected The challenges that arise in today’s Every week we set aside in the internet and paper editions of the €16,000 for WWF Poland to help the world, including disinformation, rightist

newspaper. Select letters also appeared Photo: Grzegorz Skowronek/AG most endangered animal species extremism and attempts to take away several columns in the in social media, where many reached ▲ Gazeta Wyborcza supported the fight for the rights of people with disabilities and in Poland. the fundamental rights of women, national section of the more than 100,000 readers. their guardians by publishing dedicated supplements and raising money for the cause Just since the start of 2018, we require decisive responses. In order to The team at Wyborcza is You listens collected around €250,000 this way. continue serving our readers to the best newspaper for letters to the voices and suggestions of the This gigantic support, From campaign of our ability, we have established the from readers and opinions readers. Often they are an inspiration to campaign the engagement of our Gazeta Wyborcza Foundation; thanks to for undertakings that later turn out to be readers has grown. We repeat this every this we will engage the community more of social media users a great success. This was the case with day: Wyborcza is You and this shows deeply. We believe that our initiatives important for the public the Black Books of the PiS Govern- through in these actions the most. Gaze- and projects, with the support of our

ments. In October 2018, people queued Photo: Jędrzej Nowicki/AG ta Wyborcza's readers really are a great readers, will create a better tomorrow debate. up at newsagents around Poland to army of effective help. for all of us. Check us at get their hands on the first Black book. www.fundacjagazetywyborczej.pl An extra run was needed. It turned out that the readers wanted to have a paper version documenting all of the violations of the ruling party. Every day, Wyborcza is You listens to its readers, often intervening on their behalf based on their letters. Often these are stories later published on the first page of the paper edition of Gazeta Wyborcza and then are very popular on the internet. Gazeta Wyborcza has always been engaged in civic activities. The “Give birth like humans” campaign organised Joanna Krawczyk in 1994, together with our readers, President of the Board, created a guide for hospitals and Gazeta Wyborcza Foundation

maternity clinics. Photo: Michał Walczak/AG ▲ Gazeta Wyborcza was there during massive protests against changes in Polish ▲ WWF and Gazeta Wyborcza campaign collecting funds for protecting law and breaching the Constitution endangered species ON THE SIDE OF WOMEN | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza On the side OF WOMEN Aleksandra Klich e like to say that Gazeta Wyborcza is a woman. Editor-in-Chief of High Heels Thirty years ago it was, along with Adam Michnik Magazine, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and associates, by a woman - the legend of Wunderground press in Poland, Helena Łuczywo. But also of Gazeta Wyborcza because the rights of women, their stories, values and lives are some of the most important subjects and at least half Joanna Mosiej-Sitek of our readers are women. Deputy Publishing Director For 20 years, every Saturday, we have published of Gazeta Wyborcza High Heels (Wysokie Obcasy), a special magazine in print and online at wysokieobcasy.pl. It is a unique place in Polish press: we look at the world from the perspective of women, who are aware igh Heels is a socially commit- of their rights and choices, want to be free and equal ted feminist brand for smart, and are fighting for this freedom and equality for others. ambitious women who are We are feminists, both women and men, because we Hcurious about the world and seek believe that feminism is the solidarity of women and men, inspirations. We promote women and ⊳ Mural of Kora - Polish iconic 12 without which there is no freedom. Aware of their rights, inspire them to fight for their rights rock singer and songwriter 13 free women can change our world for the better.Readers and a better life. We encourage them appreciate the in-depth, reliable, proven journalism, the to create their dreams and goals and to Concert of famous singers, wealth of topics, objectivity and engrained values. Several reach them. Unlike mainstream media who joined forces to manifest dozen authors from all around Poland and the world who we don’t promote pop-feminism (such that women’s voices should be

cooperate with us are everywhere where women need asznd useful know-how and inspira- Photo: Jacek Marczewski/AG heard and listened ▼ us. We are their voice at work, at home, at school and in tion to influence the world they live in. politics. When they work, rest, protest and strike. We invite our readers not only to read Always on the side of the women. ▲ Lidia Popiel – awarded Polish photographer our magazines but also to become on the cover of High Heels Magazine a part of our feminist community. That’s why we run empowerment campaign across media platforms “Women know what they’re doing” addressed to women, which includes ⊲ series of articles presenting case studies and profiles of brave, active and creative women involved in changing a world around them - with passion and success, ⊲ route of artistic murals in Polish cities, designed by various artists, pre- senting portraits of women who made a significant difference in the world, against all odds, ⊲ series of local meetings for women in Gdańsk, Łodź, Poznań and Kraków, with few hundreds participants taking part in discussion panels, workshops and power speeches, both with local leaders and influential experts, co- aches, businesswomen, and artist, ⊲ series of concerts of famous Polish singers, who joined forces to manifest that women’s voices should be heard Joanna Jaśkowiak – successful and listened to. local politician ⊲ STORIES WORTH REVISITING | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza How we have been CHANGING We defend POLAND OUR VALUES Roman Imielski Piotr Stasiński Head of National Desk Deputy Editor-in-Chief lthough over the years we report, “Skin hunters” in January Kaczyński. For years he had been n 1989, Gazeta Wyborcza was of Tadeusz Mazowiecki began the dent institutions monitoring power. have published nearly 5 million 2002. In it, they described how some seen not only as a person boasting a phenomenon and a pioneer - the transformation of Poland into a demo- We speak in favour of the rule of articles and all of them are of the workers killed patients and then of not having a bank account, but also first example of the free press in cratic state under the rule of law and law, the separation of power, a just and importantA to us, some are indeed more informed funeral homes, which made an idealist for whom business and Ithe eastern communist bloc. Many a market economy. Soon, the “iron responsible state. important because they have contribu- money from burials, about the deaths. politics are two separate and mutually generations of Polish democrats had curtain”, which separated the countries Unfortunately, today, because ted to the changes in Poland. We would Of course, they paid bribes to those exclusive worlds. The publication of re- aimed for this. controlled by the Soviet Union and of the expansion of populism and like to highlight a few of them because who informed them about the deaths. cordings from the headquarters of the We took on the name Gazeta Wy- western democracies, came down. authoritarianism, these fundamental we cannot list them all. As a result, several people received Law and Justice party showed that borcza (Election Gazette) to emphasise After the elimination of censorship, democratic values are under threat or We began soon after the creation prison sentences. it is completely different. Kaczyński, the support for the first democratic, Poles gained free access to information even dismantled in Poland and some of Gazeta Wyborcza in July 1989. At the In December of the same year, we without the knowledge of some of his although not completely free, elections and pluralistic opinions, along with post-communist states. Gazeta Wybor- time, Editor-in-Chief Adam Michnik rocked Poland with the article, “Law for close associates, was preparing a huge in Poland. They were the result of the contact with the free world. cza must defend these values and is wrote an article entitled, “Your pre- a bribe, or how Rywin visited Michnik”. real estate investment with a compa- “Round Table” talks, or the compromi- A curtain that covered a huge doing exactly that. We see this as our sident, our prime minister”. In it, In the article, we revealed that an ny linked to his political circles. The se between the democratic opposition swath of the world fell. Poland joined mission and civic responsibility. he called for a separation of powers important businessman attempted to skyscraper worth 300 million euros centred around the “Solidarity” union, NATO and the European Union. We are on the side of the power- 14 between the communist regime and extract a bribe from Adam Michnik on was to be a tribute to his twin brother which emerged from the underground Gazeta Wyborcza played a role less, not those in power. This is how we 15 the democratic opposition: the presi- behalf of people from the ruling Left: Lech Kaczyński, the president of Po- under the leadership of Lech Wałęsa, in all of this. see the essence of the free press. dent was to represent the former and pay 17 million dollars and we will not land who died in the air crash in 2010. and the communist regime. Over the 30 years of our existence, the prime minister the latter. This un- block the expansion of Agora, which The ‘89 elections were a great we work to protect civil rights and blocked the path for the creation of the owns Gazeta Wyborcza. The matter victory, also for Gazeta Wyborcza. against all forms of discrimination, on cabinet of Tadeusz Mazowiecki, the ended with a special parliament inve- The first non-communist government behalf of free elections and indepen- first non-communist government in the stigative committee and the collapse entire Soviet bloc. of the government. We did not just change the autho- Four years later, we again shook rities. “Giving birth like humans”, was up the political scene. An investigation the title of an article from May 1994, by Marcin Kącki, which lasted for many in which we asked our women readers: months, concluded with an article enti- “write to us about giving birth, evaluate tled, “Work for sex”. In it, we reported the hospitals. Together we will create how important politicians from a ruling a guide for hospitals and maternity coalition party was forcing women wards.” We did not expect at the time to perform sexual favours in exchange that this would be the start of a campa- for lucrative positions. This was the ign that would last for many years and beginning of the end of another would change Polish maternity clinics, government. lifting them to European levels. Thanks to Justyna Kopińska and A report by Małgorzata Bujara and her report “Will God forgive sister Ber- Małgorzata Froń entitled, “Nothing nadette?” from April 2014, we uncove- bad” from June 2001 showed for red a dark history of an orphanage led the first time that the Polish Catholic by nuns in Zabrze. For years, children church has a problem with paedophilia there were tortured and humiliated. among priests. The story of a priest Following our article, such institutions from a small town of Tylawa, defended finally became subject to supervision publicly by the church hierarchy and by social services and the order of the prosecutor led to the conspiracy Borromean sisters apologised and of silence to start to crack. expressed remorse. We also broke the conspiracy of And finally the most recent times. silence in the emergency services in “Kaczyński’s Tapes” from January 2019 Łódź after Tomasz Patora and Marcin revealed a completely different face of Stelmasiak published their shocking the leader of the ruling party, Jaroslaw

▲ “Independent journalism requires courage. And support from the readers.” An example of our digital subscription ad STORIES WORTH REVISITING | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

COMMON FIGHT FOR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT It is also Tomasz Kwasniewski’s interview with Prof. Szymon Malinowski: “35 degrees in the shade. It’s super so far, right? But we’ll soon die out”, in which he opens our eyes to what is happening to our planet and how much of it is our fault. Similarly with the BiqData report, “Scars after Szyszko”, which shows how much we lost after the Sejm decision cut down trees. ON LOVE AND BUREAUCRACY Such as the one Agnieszka Domanow- Żaneta Gotowalska ska wrote in October 2008: “I kissed Publisher in Online Strategy Dudek for the penultimate time”. This Department is one of the most read articles in the history of Gazeta Wyborcza. A moving story about the love between two doctors. He is dying; she’s fighting for his life, as well as with the health care Gazeta Wyborcza is all sector and bureaucracy. about the articles. Great reports that took hun- SPEAKING UP ABOUT dreds of hours of work. VIOLENCE AGAINS Journalistic investigations WOMEN that uncover the biggest Or like Magdalena Sroda’s conver-

sation with actress Weronika Rosati, Wajrak/AG Photo: Adam scandals. And stories that which showed that violence at home moved our readers and may be hiding behind any door, even GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO ARE 16 those of a celebrity. We must speak 17 subscribers. out loud about the suffering of women. SPEECHLESS After this publication, our readers sent Or the interview by Katarzyna Włodkowska with the mother of Stefan W., who

in hundreds of letters in which they told brutally murdered Gdansk mayor Paweł Adamowicz. Our journalists show that it is Photo: Mateusz Skwarczek/AG their stories. good to talk to give a voice to those who usually do not have a voice. ▲ Gazeta Wyborcza’s undercover reporter Piotr Szostak as Uber Eats driver “I WORKED ILLEGALLY AT UBER EATS” ur reporter went undercover and That means if one is looking for a side Oworked as an Uber Eats courier for job as an Uber Eats courier, he needs six months. As the majority of UberEats to have a registered business. If he deliverymen in Warsaw came from India, doesn’t, a fleet partner comes in handy. we were expecting some exciting story The fleet partner contracts a courier and of Indians living in Warsaw, adapting takes fees for accounting services. For and building their careers while trying to Uber, fleet partners are „independent maintain their way of life in Europe. Ho- subcontractors” to which it transfers the wever, as Piotr Szostak blended into their responsibility for drivers and suppliers. community and learned the hardships of It insists, it has no knowledge about cycling and delivering meals to homes conditions and arrangements couriers Vadim Makarenko and offices, we realised that the story will are working in. For example, the fleet Publisher of Wyborcza.tech be much bigger than expected. partner our reporter got hooked up with Thanks to the support of Piotr discovered that migrants from was reluctant to pay and in the end, it our subscribers, which is India became a good business not only turned out he was ready to pay under for Uber but also for private universities the table. woven into the positive dealing with significant falls in admissions What started as a quick adventure response to our articles for demographical reasons. There is was actually a story of the invisible a couple of schools where Indian citizens world around us. The world we import or how eagerly they read are the only students. With student visas, migrants, imposing massive admission a given article, we can no job permission, poor Polish and means fees on them and dispatch them – often they are in fact railroaded into low jobs illegally – to jobs no one wants. create Gazeta Wyborcza with almost no control from the state like that is in constant touch Uber and Uber Eats. The interview with Weronika Rosati Uber relies on the network of exter- Read the story at with the most important triggered thousands of mostly positive nal businesses it calls fleet partners. http://extra.wyborcza.pl/ubereats_en/ person - the reader. and supportive comments ⊲ Photo: Mateusz Skwarczek/AG LOCAL IMPACT | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

SZCZECIN GDAŃSK A T-SHIRT ON A MONUMENT AS FIRINGS AFTER GAZETA WYBORCZA LOCAL AN ACT OF TERROR. POLICE ON PUBLISHED EMAILS ABOUT HIGH THE TRAIL OF PEOPLE BEHIND ELECTRICITY PRICES A POLITICAL PROTEST GDAŃSK We were first to report that in emails IMPACT During protests around Poland against with companies, state power utility the attack by PiS on courts, activists Energa has questioned the government from the Committee to Defend promise to keep electricity prices Democracy put a t-shirt with the words OLSZTYN unchanged. Our report sparked an ava- “Constitution, Andrzej” on the statute lanche of dismissals at the company. of deceased president Lech Kaczyński, Among the people who lost their jobs who was a lawyer and the brother of SZCZECIN was the CEO of Energa Distribution and the leader of PiS. The message was the head of the press office. directed at the current president, December 2018 Andrzej Duda. The police rolled out the biggest guns against the perpetrators. BIAŁYSTOK We have been writing about this affair BYDGOSZCZ from the very start. Started in July 2018 TORUŃ GORZÓW WLKP. Mikołaj Chrzan Head of Local Newsrooms PŁOCK POZNAŃ ince mid-2018, I have been running the network of Gazeta Wyborcza’s 21 local POZNAŃ WARSZAWA BIAŁYSTOK Snewsrooms. We are present in Poland’s FLAT CLEANERS SENTENCED. NATIONALISTS PROVOKE NATIONAL biggest cities, where we have SERIES PUBLISHED BY GAZETA 18 MINORITIES IN HAJNÓWKA 19 nearly 200 journalists, editors and WYBORCZA’S POZNAN OFFICE ENDS ZIELONA GÓRA photojournalists. We provide current UP IN COURT We showed the right-wing groups and important local news. We monitor In 2018, six years after we wrote for and nationalists in Hajnówka, whose the people in power. We reveal the first time about the so-called flat ŁÓDŹ hero was Romuald Rajs “Bury”. He is pathologies. We defend those who are cleaners in Poznan, a court sentenced responsible for murders of Belarusian often unable to defend themselves, the perpetrators to prison. Owners of Orthodox residents of the Bialystok such as LGBT people, tenants tenant houses terrorised and threate- region. The families of those murdered threatened by the owners of their flats ned the tenants to force them to move RADOM still live in Hajnówka. and harassed participants of protests out. The sad part is that many of them LUBLIN February 2018 against the authorities. Matters related thought they had the right to do it. WROCŁAW to the protection of environments are April 2018 close to our hearts; we fight with the terrible air quality in Polish cities. Every day we prepare the local KIELCE editions that appear in Gazeta Wyborcza, but the priority for us is OPOLE CZĘSTOCHOWA the growth on the internet. In January 2019, we had 6.2 million visitors. It is not just traffic. We are a key driver POLKOWICE for the growth of Gazeta Wyborcza’s THEY RAPED AN 18-YEAR-OLD ON WROCŁAW subscriptions. Readers appreciate that HER BIRTHDAY. THE VILLAGE SIDED PiS POLITICIANS FINANCE AN KATOWICE we are close to them and their issues. WITH THE PERPETRATORS ELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH FUNDS RABKA ZDRÓJ We are able to quickly get to the place In a small village of Biedrzychowice FROM RED CROSS IN WROCLAW KRAKÓW RZESZÓW RABKA WITH CANCER THREAT? where something is happening and in the Polkowice municipality (Lower An investigation by Gazeta Wyborcza POLLUTED AIR IN THE FAMOUS deliver trustworthy information. Silesia), two male friends invited reporter Jacek Harłukowicz shows POLISH SPA TOWN On the map, we present some a female friend to a party. They gave how funds from the Wroclaw office of Breaking the conspiracy of silence that of the most high-profile subjects from her a drink with a dissolved rape pill the Polish Red Cross were used by PiS lasted for years, we wrote about the 2018, highlighting the variety of issues and then raped her multiple times. The politicians. An investigation is being awful quality of the air in some of the that we deal with. second blow for the 18-year-old was conducted by the prosecutor’s office spas in Lesser Poland (Małopolska). the fact that when the matter became (overseen by a PiS politician) and has These are places that attract hundreds public, the local community sided with been going for months. We have also of people to treat illnesses such as the perpetrators and ostracised her. written about this. lung disease. December 2018 August 2018 January 2018

21 local newsrooms of Gazeta Wyborcza MORE THAN JUST A NEWSPAPER | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

What History Weekly (Ale Historia) THERE ISN’T JUST ONE Gazeta Wyborcza There are so many interesting things going on, so many istory has always been present Hin the pages of Gazeta Wyborcza. subjects worth exploring, that from the very start we After all, Gazeta itself is part of history. knew that we must move beyond the formula of a daily Over the last 30 years, it did not just describe the most important events newspaper. We wanted to have a place to regularly publish in our modern history, but contributed Books. A Magazine for Reading the best long-form reports, so we created the weekly to the creation of many. The first edition of the What History (Książki. Magazyn do czytania) Large Format. As book lovers, we wanted to talk about weekly appeared seven years ago hen eight years ago we published with civilisational questions that every the world of literature with other book worms, so we have and to this day it accompanies Gazeta Wthe first issue of Books. A Ma- thinking person asks herself. every Monday and from the start, it at- gazine for Reading, our colleagues We do this with the pens of the best 20 Books. A Magazine for reading. In the time of the EU crisis tracted a large number of readers who snickered. They asked: “You want to writers - Polish and global. And on 21 we wanted to describe the European reality, so magazine react with passion to its content. publish a literal magazine in a country top of the superbly written and edited Since the creation of the magazine, where nearly 2/3 of Poles don’t even essays, the speciality of Books are Our Europe was created. We put together some of these we aim for the golden mean: to satisfy read one book in a year?” The first extensive, penetrating interviews Our Europe (Nasza Europa) magazines with the labour of our journalists, while some both the readers expecting articles printing (40 thousand copies), sold like with authors from around the world as the crisis of European values European Newspaper Alliance (LENA) and about the most significant events and hotcakes; we had to do another run. (including Zadie Smith, Jonathan Lit- Harrived? What does the French cooperation with its members - Europe’s together with other publishers or business partners. Together, phenomena that influence the lives Over eight years, cheered on by our re- tell, George Saunders, Julian Barnes, national therapy look like? It there top newspapers El Pais, Die Welt, La Re- we search for opportunities and ways to best describe the of entire nations, as well as those who aders, we transformed from a quarterly Edward St. Aubyn, Hilary Mantel). a possibility to systematically regulate pubblica, Le Figaro, Le Soir, Tages-Anze- simply seek fascinating tales - about to a bi-monthly. We also inspired the We take a careful look at the world, the way childcare responsibilities iger and Tribune de Genéve. In the form world. One thing is important to us - without these magazines, specific people, everyday lives, scienti- creation of a faithful and active internet with distance and scepticism. We try are divided? What would a European of a weekend insert appearing every week, the world of Gazeta Wyborcza would not be complete. fic discoveries and cultural events. We community. How was this possible? to avoid shallowness, gimmickry and “populists’ map” presenting anti-EU, as well as a thematic internet platform, try to participate in the most important The secret is the magazine’s formula. cheap catastrophism. We search for nationalist and extreme right parties in we deliver unique information about historical discussion currently taking Books are not just a collection of re- inspiration among the great writers the European Union look like? These are the upcoming elections to the European place. We stake our positions that we views. It is a publication of a civilisation, of the past and have open minds to just a few examples of questions from Parliament, along with analyses, reports always defend with the power of the where book premieres - Polish and the literature of the future. We believe our readers. To meet their need to learn and discussions about European topics. argument. We criticise the interpreta- foreign - are just a starting point. The that reading ambitious books makes new things about the world around Wall Street Journal, with which Gazeta tions of historical events that not only aim is an analysis of the modern world, us wiser and more ethical people and, us we launched Our Europe editorial Wyborcza cooperates in text syndication, Reporters’ Magazine Large Format (Duży Format) contradict facts but also serve only the presentation of new, intriguing as a consequence, changes the world project, made possible thanks to Gazeta also adds to this project by providing an e dive into the biggest topics. to support particular political interests. cultural phenomena and the struggle for the better. Wyborcza’s membership in Leading overseas perspective on European issues. WOur work begins where it ends for other journalists. We uncover what other do not see. We are always close to the characters. We try to tell their real stories in many dimensions and in a literary form. We print long-form articles by Poland’s best reporters, those well known and the young ones. Each year, our authors win prestigious Polish awards: Ludmiła Anannikova and Tomasz Kwaśniewski (Teresa Torańska Award), Katarzyna Włodkow- ska (Grand Press), Paweł Piotr Reszka Mariusz Burchard Mirosław Maciorowski Juliusz Kurkiewicz Mariusz Kania (Ryszard Kapuściński Award), Mariusz Editor of Large Format Magazine Editor of What History Weekly Editor Chief of Books. A Magazine for Reading Editor, Foreign Desk Szczygieł (MediaTory Award). MORE THAN JUST A NEWSPAPER | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

Wyborcza Classic GAZETA WYBORCZA’S KRZYSZTOF MILLER Magazine EDITORS’ SCHOOL AWARD FOR THE (Wyborcza.pl/classic) The School is a practical professional COURAGE TO LOOK workshop that fills in the skill gap The Award was launched in 2018 between the generations of Gazeta to promote photography of special Photo: Sławomir Kamiński/AG Wyborcza’s editors. The topics of the journalistic value, representing a deep, workshops include the basic ability thorough and courageous perspective to construct sentences, language of difficult subjects – social, flexibility, working with an author (it political, economic and cultural. is not based on simple edition of her It commemorates Krzysztof Miller, texts, but the creation of a common a legendary wartime photographer, language and independence), coming the author of numerous widely- up with “effective” titles and leads, recognised photos. The competition to adjusting texts in various types for the Award is open to professional he archives of Gazeta Wyborcza of journalism. In Gazeta Wyborcza and amateur photographers, contain 4 million articles - this is T team want to strengthen the team of individuals and collectives. Any a unique treasure trove with thousands “editorial leaders” who understand form of photography is accepted, of news items related to the most the needs of modern journalism in the including photo stories, documents, important events at home and abroad, changing media environment, are able series of portraits or landscapes, etc., outstanding reports, interviews to find, select and formulate topics made with the use of any technique, and analyses. Their heroes come both essential and attractive to the professional photographic equipment everywhere and represent all strata readers, acquire texts and authors also or a smartphone camera. We received

of the society (plus animals, plants Photo: Dawid Żuchowicz/AG from outside the newsroom, work with nearly 300 photo projects and and things). them. For the programme, we selected announced seven finalists. The 2018 In the autumn of 2017, we decided that world-class innovators, role models for have a chance to experience how we young editors from 21 local newsro- Award was won by Anna Liminowicz many of these texts have a universal TOMORROWNAUTS. entrepreneurs, academics, artists who will all live in 10, 15 or 20 years from oms at Gazeta Wyborcza who will be for her photo story “Among Blocks” value. So they cannot be kept under incorporate new technology, courage now – how technology, entertainment REACH BEYOND THE developing their skills and gain new (“Miedzy blokami”). lock and key. Which is why we not only and groundbreaking perspectives and and food will change in the future. In its ones not just by working with the best gave our readers access to a new, HORIZON who found a way to turn their world two editions the project reached over editors from our newspaper, but also more accessible archive, but once Imagine a community which helps around to fulfill their dreams and create 52 million Internet users and readers, its additional sections and magazines, ⊳ Anna Liminowicz with a week we also publish internet maga- your dreams come true… A dinner the future now. For months tomorrow- with 75 articles published, 60 experts as well as through contact with 22 Krzysztof Miller Award 23 zine Wyborcza Classic, which consists with Elon Musk - consider it done. nauts’ stories inspired thousands of involved, over 200 applications to the experts around the world. entirely of archival articles. Flying across the globe to talk to Apple people across Poland, both: the readers contest and over 1300 participants in The topics are only limited to one designers - check. Meeting significant of Gazeta Wyborcza and attendees of our events. The project won prestigious criterion - we publish the most intere- people in the entertainment industry the meetings in many cities in Poland. awards: INMA Global Media Award for sting texts. So far we have published in Hollywood - you’ve got it. That We have also opened up a contest for the Best Public Relations or Community editions about topics that included is why we created Tomorrownauts “Beyond the Horizon Ticket” scholarship Service Campaign and the WAN-IFRA women, men, world leaders, violence, - a joint project of Gazeta Wyborcza and for individuals who work on interesting European Digital Media Awards Hono- language, money, loneliness, love, Kulczyk Investments. In the project we and ground-breaking projects. We rable Mention of in the Best Branded history of nonsense and psychological presented future-riders - Poles who are wanted the readers and attendees to Content Project category. illness. We also publish so-called “author” editions, focused on one out- standing and award-winning author. Out intuition was right. Readers are so SONAR AND a way to make them understandable, eager to read archival texts that often interesting and tailored to the interests it is news that competes with them, SONAR EUROPE of internet users. and not vice versa. Wyborcza Classic is Sonar is a joint project of Gazeta Wy- In March 2019, Gazeta Wyborcza one of most read internet magazines borcza, Laboratorium EE and Google’s decided to add European focus to at Gazeta Wyborcza and one most Digital News Initiative, and is based Sonar and joined forces with Le Soir effective in attracting subscribers. exclusively on data and facts. It collects (Belgium), Le Figaro (France) and and presents in one place the latest El País (Spain) to create a project information on the political and social to show multiple perspectives and life and Polish politicians. In the form points of view from different European of attractive infographics it shows the countries in the form of in-depth, inve- statistics on the most important topics stigative, multimedia stories around and persons. Sonar is a place where EU topics, as well as shorter articles readers can learn more or organise and infographics. The materials in their knowledge about the most impor- Sonar Europe will include data-driven tant topics and people who make the materials around health, economy, most important decisions in Poland and society, politics, education and youth. objectively compare their credibility, It will also offer educational resources integrity and reliability. In a simple, on data, tools to create and share data visually attractive and interactive way, journalism, and workshops for media Sonar explains complex issues in professionals.

Ewa Zientarska ▲ Sonar presents ranking of the most Photo: Mateusz Skwarczek/AG Editor of Wyborcza Classic talked about Polish politicians ▲ Students and coaches of Gazeta Wyborcza's Editors' School WYBORCZA LIVE | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

PERSON OF THE YEAR Every year since 1999, as part of the celebration of our anniversary, the journalists of Gazeta Wyborcza award Wyborcza LIVE the title of Person of the Year. In 2019, this honour went to Donald Tusk, the our readers get to meet outstanding president of the European Council PREMIERE CENTRE guests. Meetings with the Editor-in- and former prime minister of Poland. CZERSKA 8/10 AND -chief of Gazeta Wyborcza have proven The main speech was delivered by extremely popular. Adam Michnik has Timothy Snyder. WYBORCZA LIVE Photo: Maciek Jaźwiecki/AG already met with Gazeta Wyborcza Winners from the previous years ▲ Person of the Year debate Our newsroom organises series of readers dozens of times. We realise were: Vaclav Havel (1999), George meetings, debates, festivals, concerts that it is essential to get together out- Soros (2000), Sergey Kovalev (2001), and awards for our readers. In 2018, side the newsroom and invite guests Joschka Fischer (2002), Günter our events were attended by around into it. People, our readers, want to Verheugen (2003), Bronisław Geremek NIKE AWARD Anna Kołtunowicz 65,500 people. talk, meet, get together to discuss the (2004), Javier Solana (2005), Zbigniew Founded in 1997, the Nike Literary Award Head of Premiere Centre For the last three years, we have issues most important for Poland and Brzeziński (2006), Archbishop Józef is presented annually in October for the Czerska 8/10 been meeting in Warsaw and dozens for themselves. Życiński (2007), Andrzej Wajda (2008), best book published in the previous year. of other Polish cities, mainly in places At the Premiere Centre Czerska Tadeusz Mazowiecki (2009, Person of The main idea behind the award is to where there are Gazeta Wyborcza 8/10 in Warsaw, at the headquarters Two Decades), Władysław Bartoszew- promote Polish literature, in particular newsrooms, to talk about current of Gazeta Wyborcza, which for the ski (2010), Richard von Weizsacker novels (including autobiography, essays, events, social phenomena, books, meetings transforms into a theatre, the (2011), Tadeusz Konwicki (2012), Yoani memoirs, etc.) humanist writing of great Joanna Parczyńska theatre, movies, as well as local issues stars are usually unique authors and Sánchez (2013), Mikhail Khodorkovsky literary value. Head of Events close to the heart of its residents. their creations. They included director (2014), Bronisław Komorowski (2015), Winners receive a prize of €25,000 “Wyborcza Live” is the name for the se- Agnieszka Holland and writer Olga Timothy Snyder (2016), Frans Timmer- and the NIKE statuette, funded by Gazeta ries of meeting with people whom we Tokarczuk, director Hugh Welchman, mans (2017) and Anne Applebaum Wyborcza and Agora Foundation.

want to meet and talk to. In our 21 local writer Dan Brown and writer and (2018). Lech Wałęsa received the Photo: Maciek Jaźwiecki/AG newsrooms, coffee shops and theatres, publicist Anne Applebaum. Person of the Quarter Century award. ▲ Anne Applebaum - Person of the Year 2018, accompanied by her husband Radosław Sikorski 24 FESTIVALS 25 We enjoy meeting our readers outside the newsroom. For them, we organise well-known music and culture festivals. The most popular ones are Olsztyn Green Festival and Co Jest Grane 24 Festival. Olsztyn Green Festival in an event co-or- ganised with the City of Olsztyn in the su- mmer on the banks of the Ukiel lake. Over the last four years, Olsztyn Green Festival includes concerts by popular and highly Caring for close live contact esteemed artists. In addition, the event includes meetings with artists, workshops with our readers is one and activities linked with ecology, health of the foundations of care and a healthy lifestyle. The Co Jest Grane 24 Festival is a two- the popularity of Gazeta -day city festival in Warsaw, celebrating Wyborcza and its strong the best artists in polish alternative and pop music, art, theatre and culture. It takes market position. place at the beautiful grounds surrounding the Centre for Contemporary Art Ujaz- dowski Castle and in the castle itself. This unique festival features live music stages with best Polish pop and alternative artists and bands, a special all-day program- me for adults and children (theatre, workshops, concerts, movie screenings etc.) and vendor activities showcasing culture-friendly businesses, sponsors, artisans, Warsaw’s best restaurants, media partners and brand activations. Together they gather an audience of almost 50,000 people annually. Photo: Sławomir Kamiński/AG Photo: Dawid Żuchowicz/AG ▲ Premiere Centre Czerska 8/10 with Dan Brown as a guest NUMBERS BEHIND US | 30 years of Gazeta Wyborcza

7.628.875 Internet users visiting our services in a month

Find more about us at 3.389.232.131 4.876.104 Wyborcza.pl/aboutus 26 pages printed in a year texts collected in our archive

270.000 170.500 117.000 101.300 people paying for its printed digital subscriptions Euro collected and donated to comments in a month and online editions every year charities via our actions in 2018

Concept and editing: Joanna Krawczyk, Mateusz Szaniewski Translation: Chris Borowski Layout and design: Jolanta Szydłowska Infographics: Wawrzyniec Święcicki

Gazeta Wyborcza Czerska 8/10, 00-732, Warsaw, Poland 18.815 327 153 21 © Agora S.A., 2019 quotes in other media texts published years spent by Gazeta Wyborcza's awards for our journalists Enquiries concerning PR materials should be emailed to Nina Graboś: [email protected] in 2018 every day subscribers on our websites in a month and photographers since 2018 Enquiries concerning partnerships should be emailed to Joanna Krawczyk: [email protected]