Robert Szustkowski announces the publication of an Open Letter to the European Commission on extension of the EU's "Right to be forgotten" law
WARSAW, Poland, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Szustkowski, philanthropist and businessman, calls for the introduction of new rules for the protection of personal image in the EU. The author of the initiative points to the urgent need to establish clear rules and guidelines aimed at preventing unjustified and unpunished accusations and defamation of individuals, companies and institutions. Szustkowski calls for expanding the European Legal Directive, "Right to be forgotten" on the media, enabling individuals to request that outdated or false information about themselves be removed from online search engines. Additionally, he calls for the creation of a mechanism of the Readers' Ombudsman in the media (similar to the British institution of the Reader’s Editor), which would enable the accused to present their version of events and request corrections or editorial notes to the materials.
The businessman has been the subject of media for years, despite many favorable decisions involving the largest publishing houses in Poland. In 2020, the District Court in Warsaw ruled on the infringement of personal rights brought by Robert Szustkowski against Ringier Axel Springer Polska. The subject of the case included slander regarding Szustkowski's alleged connections with the Sołntsevo mafia, secret services, espionage for Russia, cooperation with the GRU, doing business with the KGB, and others. In the case in question, the court had no doubt that RASP was guilty of gross negligence for violating Szustkowski's rights: RASP, by unlawfully violating the personal rights of Robert Szustkowski, did not duly and carefully verify the truthfulness of the statements contained in the disputed press materials. After the court's verdict, Szustkowski signed settlements with the publishing houses. Also, these publishing houses agreed to remove the defamatory articles and publish an apology (source: Court disputes | Robert Szustkowski). Despite signing two settlements so far, RASP has published another 6 materials about Szustkowski's unclear connections with Russia and the services of a foreign country.
"It is shocking that one of the largest publishing houses in Poland does not comply with the law, violates the terms of the settlement and without hard evidence publishes further publications against me," says Szustkowski. "I understand that reaching a settlement with RASP was simply a mistake."
The Open Letter is scheduled to be published next week.
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