Lew Rywin, the main character in the bribery scandal involving Gazeta Wyborcza, is not a financial magnate. Rzeczpospolita revealed that his businesses more often made losses than profits.

Mr Rywin's son said, "They often say that he controls half of Poland, but sadly it is not true."

Mr Rywin's first company, Heritage Films, which was established in 1991, has produced 30 films, mostly in cooperation with public television and Canal+. In its best year Heritage Films posted zł.3.2 million in profit. Mr Rywin was once a director at Canal+ in Poland. He was sacked in 2000.

"His time as a person with powerful connections has long gone. The station fell into financial trouble as the director had no idea of how to run a professional business," said a media market observer.

Poland A.M.