In a high-profile case that has drawn public attention for many months, the Warsaw Regional Court ruled in favour of actress and celebrity Natalia Janoszek. The court ordered Krzysztof Stanowski and Kanał Sportowy to remove a controversial 2023 documentary in which the journalist accused Janoszek of faking her acting career. In addition, Stanowski and the sports channel must pay financial compensation.
Background to the conflict
The conflict between Natalia Janoszek and Krzysztof Stanowski erupted in 2023, when Kanał Sportowy published an investigative video titled „BOLLYWOOD ZERO: NATALIA JANOSZEK. THE END”. In the video, Stanowski claimed that Janoszek’s achievements in Bollywood and her international film career were largely fiction, based on manipulation and paid promotional articles. The film quickly went viral, earning millions of views and sparking a heated debate on social media.
Janoszek, an actress from Bielsko-Biała who claims to have appeared in more than a dozen Indian productions, felt defamed. In response, she sued Stanowski and Kanał Sportowy, demanding the removal of the material and compensation for infringement of her personal rights. The case dragged on for over two years, with numerous twists, including preliminary court injunctions ordering the temporary removal of the film.
In April 2024, the court fined Stanowski 15,000 zloty for failing to comply with an earlier publication ban. The decision was widely covered in the media at the time, and some portals presented it as a „victory for Janoszek”. However, Stanowski stressed that it was merely a procedural penalty and not a substantive ruling on the case.
Details of the ruling
In the latest first-instance ruling, announced recently, the judges found Janoszek’s arguments justified. The court held that the film contained elements that violated her good name and reputation, without sufficient evidence for all the allegations made. As a result, the court ordered:
- Immediate removal of the film from YouTube and other distribution channels.
- Payment of compensation of 20,000 zloty.
- A public apology from Stanowski and Kanał Sportowy.
The ruling is not yet final, and both parties have the right to appeal. Krzysztof Stanowski has announced that he will consider an appeal, arguing that his material was based on thorough journalistic research.
Reactions from the parties and the public
Natalia Janoszek makes no secret of her satisfaction with the ruling. On social media, she shared an excerpt from an article reporting her victory in the case.
Krzysztof Stanowski, for his part, commented on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram that the ruling was „surprising” and that he does not agree with its content. „We will keep fighting. The truth will always come out” he wrote. The journalist, known for controversial investigative materials, does not rule out continuing the topic in another form.
Public opinion is divided. On social media platforms such as X, there are both voices supporting Janoszek and criticism directed at the court. Users point out that the case shows the limits of freedom of speech in investigative journalism. Some commentators, including those from the Wprost portal, stress that this is not a full victory but only a stage in a long process.
What next?
The Janoszek versus Stanowski case could become a precedent for similar conflicts between celebrities and the media. In the age of social media, where accusations spread in an instant, the ruling serves as a reminder of responsibility for published content. Both sides are vowing to keep fighting, which means the matter is not yet closed.
Natalia Janoszek, despite the controversy, continues her career, while Krzysztof Stanowski remains one of the most influential journalists in Poland. Time will tell how this ruling affects their future.
Source: Wirtualne Media
