People
Donald Forbes - a clash with Poland's Communist authorities
Thursday 13 February 2025
In 1984-85, I was Don's number two in the Warsaw bureau. He certainly had a talent for getting on the wrong side of the Communist authorities. In May 1984, he was summoned by government spokesman Jerzy Urban, who attacked him for the way Reuters had reported pro-Solidarity demonstrations on May Day.
Unknown to Don, this meeting was secretly filmed. It was then shown as the lead item on Poland's evening news programme, with the aim of turning public opinion against the Western media. I don't think the ploy succeeded, but Don took the incident as a reason to return to 85 Fleet Street for a week for "consultations" with editors.
RIP Don, we will miss you
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