When passing on news, gossip, or what someone else has said, use the word że (that) to connect the reporting verb to the statement. Always place a comma before że.
No tense backshifting
The most important rule of Polish reported speech is that the tense never changes. In English, when reporting a past statement, we often shift the tense backward (e.g., "Marek said his relationship was a secret"). In Polish, you must keep the original tense exactly as the person said it. If Marek originally said, "My relationship is a secret," the reported clause stays in the present tense.
Relaying news and gossip
You can use że with a variety of reporting verbs, such as ogłosić (to announce), potwierdzić (to confirm), or przyznać się (to admit).
When you are sharing rumors and aren't completely sure if the information is true, add the word podobno (apparently / supposedly).
Reporting yes/no questions
If you are reporting a yes/no question rather than a statement, use czy (if/whether) instead of że. The "no backshifting" rule still applies here, keeping the reported question in its original tense.