Donations
Veridica.md
In a modest apartment in Gdańsk, an extraordinary daily routine unfolds. A 10-year-old girl, Sara Małecka-Trzaskoś, settles down each evening to watch Poland’s most important news broadcasts. But first, the footage is meticulously screened by her father. He records the nightly news and, as he puts it, ensures that no content inappropriate for a child, such as graphic reports of genocides, slips through. Only after this careful vetting does Sara, accompanied by her parents, watch the edited segments.
Despite her young age, Sara has embarked on a mission that has drawn comparisons to global youth icons like Greta Thunberg. Every day, she pens a series of questions in a rough notebook—questions that she plans to pose to Poland’s leading politicians. Her parents then review these questions, correcting any errors, before Sara meticulously transcribes the refined versions into a second notebook.
At just 10 years old, Sara Małecka-Trzaskoś has become a familiar face in the halls of the Polish Parliament. Over the past six months, Sara has worked as a reporter for the website iboma.media, conducting interviews with some of Poland’s most prominent politicians. Her work, published online and shared across social media platforms—including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube under the "Perspektywa Sary" banner—has featured conversations with figures such as Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, the controversial far-right politician Grzegorz Braun, and Education Minister Barbara Nowacka.
In one exchange, she directly asked Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, whether he manipulates or lies to voters. Instead of addressing her pointed questions, Kaczyński deflected by asking her age. On another occasion, as Kaczyński was discussing legislation related to the decriminalization of abortion with reporters, Sara attempted to ask a question. Kaczyński brusquely dismissed her, suggesting that the topic was not suitable for children and advising her to "go away". When Sara asserted her right to free speech, Kaczyński retorted, "But freedom of speech is not for children, really go away".
These exchanges, especially the latter one, quickly went viral, capturing public attention during a typically summer slow news period. The incident not only highlighted Sara's boldness but also sparked widespread debate about the role of young people in political discourse.
The Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę (Power to the Children) Foundation publicly denounced what it described as the "outrageous words" of a prominent politician, Jarosław Kaczyński, sparking a wave of responses across Poland's political landscape. The backlash was swift. Marcin Józefaciuk, an MP from the Civic Coalition (KO), formally requested that the Parliamentary Ethics Committee take disciplinary action against Kaczyński. In a separate gesture of support, his party colleague, Ewa Kołodziej, reached out directly to Sara, expressing regret over Kaczyński’s behavior. In her letter, Kołodziej commended Sara’s engagement in political life, inviting her to collaborate on youth nutritional education initiatives. She also brought the matter to the attention of the Children’s Rights Ombudsman, Monika Horna-Cieślak, She echoed the foundation’s objection, criticizing Kaczyński’s remarks. Similarly, former Children’s Rights Ombudsman Marek Michalak, along with organizations such as the Children’s Rights Protection Committee and the Kosmos dla Dziewczynek (Cosmos for Girls) Foundation, voiced their concerns. Błażej Kmieciak, the former chairman of the state commission on pedophilia, also joined the chorus of condemnation.
Who knows what’s best for a child, the parents or psychology and pedagogy experts?
Amid the widespread acclaim for 10-year-old Sara Małecka-Trzaskoś’s journalistic endeavors in the Polish parliament, few have paused to consider whether a child so young should be navigating the corridors of political power. Questions linger about what she is exposed to and whether she is genuinely there of her own volition.
Sara’s parents argue that her work as a reporter is not just a passion but a form of therapy. Sara was diagnosed with aphasia and the parents claim that her involvement in journalism has significantly aided her speech development, with her speech therapist reportedly expressing delight over the progress she’s made. In an interview with „Tygodnik Powszechny”, they even mentioned that her special education ruling acknowledges the positive impact of her parliamentary work. However, upon closer inspection, this narrative unravels. The ruling from the psychological and pedagogical clinic, which includes assessments from a neurologist, speech therapist, psychologist, and educator, tells a different story. Contrary to the parents' claims, the document suggests that Sara’s activities in the Sejm may actually conflict with expert recommendations. The professionals emphasize the need for a supportive, low-pressure environment, advising a slower pace of schoolwork and caution against situations that require Sara to make extended statements in front of her peers.
The atmosphere in the Polish parliament, with its fast-paced and often contentious nature, seems far removed from the kind of environment these experts recommend for Sara’s well-being. This discrepancy raises critical ethical questions about the appropriateness of her continued presence in such a setting.
Her father, who films her interviews with politicians, ensures she is never alone during her journalistic endeavors. Beyond the walls of the Sejm, her parents take additional steps to safeguard her well-being. Sara doesn’t have her own smartphone or laptop and is only allowed limited access to a tablet, which she can use on weekends — provided she has fulfilled all her school and extracurricular obligations. Her social media presence, under the "Perspektywa Sary" accounts, is also carefully managed by her parents. While the accounts have gained significant attention, it was only after media coverage in July that it was revealed Sara herself was not the author of the posts. Her parents later acknowledged that they had been writing on her behalf, although they sometimes consulted Sara about what she wanted to say.
Sara’s parents are confident that their daughter will continue her journalistic pursuits in the Sejm for years to come. They maintain that "Perspektywa Sary" is a genuine expression of Sara’s interests and passion, asserting that the project is entirely her own initiative. Despite holding a press card and parliamentary accreditation, her parents emphasize that Sara’s activities do not constitute work, and no one profits financially from them. As such, they argue that there is no need for a permit from the labor inspector or a formal contract with iboma.media.
Sara’s parents have drawn a firm line when it comes to their daughter’s digital life. Although Sara has long expressed a desire for her own smartphone, her parents have made it clear that she will only receive one upon finishing primary school, around the age of 16 — a decision they describe as non-negotiable. But what if, as a teenager, Sara challenges this restriction, accusing her parents of hypocrisy for denying her the very tools they use to shape her online persona? Her parents have already considered this possibility. In response, they say they would offer Sara a choice: either she can have her own smartphone — with certain limitations — or she can continue with the „Perspektywa Sary" project. Her mother is confident that Sara will choose the right thing to do.
Sara’s interests vs. the interests of the adults around her
In the midst of growing debate over 10-year-old Sara Małecka-Trzaskoś’s role as a political reporter, Poland’s Children’s Rights Ombudsman, Monika Horna-Cieślak, made a public plea for restraint and respect. "As the Ombudsman for Children's Rights, I ask for respect for the right to privacy, dignity, and protection of the image of the child and her family", Horna-Cieślak wrote on Facebook. She emphasized that any efforts to help children must be conducted with dignity and respect for their families, noting that Sara and her family are currently under intense public scrutiny, with sensitive information being widely circulated.
Horna-Cieślak’s statement, rather than being made in a standalone post, appeared as replies under various Facebook posts where users were discussing articles about Sara’s burgeoning journalistic career and the role her parents are playing in it. The discussions have sparked criticism, with some accusing Sara’s parents of trying to mold her into a "Polish Greta Thunberg" at any cost.
In one such exchange, Anna Krawczak, a researcher and co-author of the "Code of Good Practices in Research with Children," posed a pointed question to the Ombudsman: "If talking about protection undermines protection, does silence about the lack of protection mean ensuring protection for the child?" Krawczak received no direct reply, but Horna-Cieślak repeated her concerns in a comment, noting, "I know what Sara is afraid of and I know that press articles about her reinforce her sense of fear. I know because talking to a child is essential. Again, in the adult world, there is so little of the child and what they need."
The controversy has highlighted a broader concern: whether Sara’s real needs and aspirations are being overshadowed by the ambitions of those around her. Critics argue that Sara’s well-being is taking a backseat as politicians and others seem eager to use her as a symbol or a "modern showcase of parliament." Ewa Kołodziej, a Civic Coalition MP, even claimed that Sara’s presence in the Sejm is "proof that our democracy is doing well," suggesting it would help restore Poland's standing in the press freedom index. This prompted a sharp response from Ola Rodzewicz, a pedagogue and expert from the Warsaw University Educational Research Institute, who remarked, "A child is not a radiator to warm up anyone's image."
Sara’s parents pushed her towards the public eye even before she started her “journalistic career”
The Children’s Rights Ombudsman is urging the public to respect the privacy of 10-year-old Sara and her family. The appeal came amid growing concerns over Sara's high-profile presence in the Polish parliament and the extensive sharing of her personal information. When questioned about the role her parents played in exposing Sara to public scrutiny, the Ombudsman’s spokeswoman responded pointedly: "The father showed his daughter doing interviews with politicians. Period. And now you know things about this child that you should never have known".
However, the reality is more complex. It was Sara's parents who, long before her political reporting, made public various aspects of her personal life, including sensitive health information. „Perspektywa Sary" is not their first project to expose Sara's privacy; years earlier, they managed a Facebook page that documented her life in granular detail. This included photos and videos of Sara undergoing therapy and rehabilitation, as well as more intimate moments, such as sleeping, visiting the dentist, or wearing a swimsuit. They even shared personal documents, like a diploma bearing Sara's information, and details about the psychological and educational institutions she attended. Some of the most controversial content includes videos where Sara’s mother can be seen physically guiding her young daughter through writing and speech therapy exercises—sometimes against the child’s will. One video shows the mother forcing a four-year-old Sara to write by holding her hand, while another shows her forcibly turning Sara's head during speech therapy exercises when the child tries to look away.
Sara's parents also documented the early stages of her interest in politics. In one video, her mother instructs her father to explain the concept of executive power to an eight-year-old Sara. The father’s attempts are met with limited success, leading to a scolding: "We're not fooling around, this is important." Despite these early challenges, Sara's political engagement grew, leading to her receiving official journalistic accreditation in early 2024—a decision that the Sejm Media Services Office struggled to justify when questioned by journalists.
Is this the end of the underage journalist's career?
In August, the "Perspektywa Sary" TikTok account, which had garnered significant attention for its political content, was closed down (according to the regulations, people aged 13 and over can use the application). This development coincided with a statement from the Polish Parliament (Sejm) addressing the controversial press accreditation granted to 10-year-old Sara Małecka-Trzaskoś. The Sejm's Chancellery acknowledged that, according to Polish press law, a person of Sara's age cannot legally function as a journalist. Journalists are subject to civil and criminal liability, which a ten-year-old, cannot bear since they do not have legal capacity, a status only partially granted at the age of 13.
In light of this realization, the Sejm Chancellery has reversed its decision, confirming that children will no longer be issued press accreditations and will not be permitted to work as journalists within the parliamentary corridors.
This decision has sparked another debate. Alina Czyżewska from Sieć Obywatelska – Watchdog Polska is questioning the decision, challenging the notion that children should be excluded from the Sejm due to inappropriate behavior by some members of parliament. On Facebook, she argued, "The fact that members of parliament sometimes behave rudely and indecently is NOT a reason for children not to be able to stay as citizens in a place that is the center of democracy." She likened the exclusion of children from the Sejm to telling women to stay at home because the world is dangerous for them—a perspective she deems absurd. Instead, Czyżewska called for a change in the behavior and culture within the Sejm, suggesting that it is the adults, not the children, who should be held accountable and, if necessary, removed from the parliamentary space.
The controversy highlights broader questions about the role of children in public life, the responsibilities of institutions like the Sejm, and the boundaries of parental involvement in a child’s public engagement. As the debate continues, it underscores the tension between protecting a child’s rights and allowing them to participate in democratic processes.
---copie-image.webp)
