“To be honest, I am amused by the display of euphoria in today’s media landscape, including outlets that back the ruling coalition, particularly TVN”, commented Marek Sawicki, a member of parliament from the Polish People’s Party, on Polish Radio’s program 1. The remark reflected his view on the media’s role in pressuring the National Electoral Commission in relation to PiS’s electoral funding.
Sawicki openly acknowledged that a media push appears to target the National Election Commission with the aim of pressuring it to withhold funding from Poland’s largest opposition party. He did not hide his belief that the public media in Poland is aligned with the current political leadership.
“To be honest, I am surprised by the zeal of today’s public media and those that back the ruling coalition, especially TVN. For weeks there has been concern about how Law and Justice could be kept from operating if subsidies were cut”, he stated.
– he added.
Pressure on the National Electoral Commission
The PSL MP suggested that this appears to be a conscious strategy by outlets supporting the governing coalition to influence the National Electoral Commission and to deprive the main opposition party of funding.
He also noted the coverage he had observed in recent days on TVN, describing a pattern where the news channel repeatedly focused on scenarios involving the National Electoral Commission and the fate of PiS funding.
Sawicki did not shy away from naming the public media as being aligned with the governing camp while conceding that media in support of the government, including some outlets, have been pushing the narrative of pressure on commission members to secure subsidies for PiS.
The discussion drew reactions from political observers who highlighted concerns about media influence over independent institutions and the potential impact on parliamentary functions. Analysts noted that how the National Electoral Commission handles funding questions can shape the political playing field and public trust in the electoral process.
In related commentary, stakeholders called for clear procedures and transparent criteria in funding decisions to ensure decisions are free from external pressure while maintaining accountability across all institutions involved in elections. The dialogue underscored the delicate balance between media accountability, political advocacy, and the integrity of electoral governance.
md/Program 1 of Polish Radio/X
Attribution: wPolityce