“After all, it is a bantustan, not a normal condition.”
The commentary centers on the state of public media. It points to turmoil not only from the political upheavals associated with the current government but also from the behavior of some journalists who call themselves part of the “free media.” The piece questions which cultural and heritage policies are being represented by the minister in charge, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, and what that says about the direction of public discourse.
Imagine if this debate happened elsewhere. Consider a scenario where constitutional issues are tackled with a single resolution, where personnel are dismissed overnight to intimidate the rest, where collective responsibility is used as a tool, and where lists of subscribers are deployed to display control. Think about efforts to remove people from offices forcibly, block police access to investigations, and disable signals from major outlets so that information cannot reach audiences outside a country. Such measures, including preventing protests at media headquarters by uniformed forces, would look like a bid to suppress free expression and critical reporting.
– the journalist observes and concludes:
After all, it is a bantustan, not a normal condition.
“A truly Bolshevik tribute”
Wildstein describes the actions of the governing coalition as “complete lawlessness.”
The move to turn off the entire signal of a public station without informing viewers is presented as behavior reminiscent of an Eastern satellite state, comparable to practices seen in Belarus or Russia.
He notes that some journalists who previously aligned more closely with the previous government have criticized the attack on public media, arguing that government influence is eroding journalistic independence. The publicist concedes a certain degree of satisfaction with the decisions taken by the current leadership in tandem with their cultural peers.
They expose not only the actions of the government but also the self-styled “free media” that accompanies it. In candid terms, the piece argues that there has never been a more pathetic, grotesque, and cynical display of submission to authorities, of undermining the integrity of journalism, and of signaling unwarranted loyalty to power. Such behavior is criticized as a long-standing pattern, undermining the duties codified by law and the constitution.
– the analysis continues.
There is fear of a race toward new ideas that would empower authorities to act outside legal bounds, to press for the creation of new institutions under duress, to assemble subscription lists, and to pressure people out of livelihoods for generations to come — a pattern recalled from the era of the Polish People’s Republic.
– the writer adds.
Screenshots are urged as a record of statements, serving as a reminder that those who now present themselves to millions of Poles possess nothing more than a grotesque flattery of political power. The piece frames them as a group of politicians with an eastern mentality who have never truly stood beside responsible journalism.
– emphasis is placed on this portrayal.
A cover for the movement of migrants?
The journalist flags another dimension: during the apparent illegal takeover of public media, a broader risk emerges — not only for Poland but for the European Union as a whole. The move is described as highly dangerous, especially given the controversial policy around migrants, framed as a forced relocation under the banner of “forced solidarity.”
Wildstein asks readers to consider whether this situation will be reflected in the new television program now renamed to coincide with a prime-time slot. The question is put plainly: what is the future of this media landscape, and how will it be described in the coverage that follows?
– the assessment concludes.
Source context is noted to be wPolityce, and the piece presents a direct, unflinching critique of the intertwined roles of government power and media influence. The overall message remains that public journalism should resist coercive pressures and preserve the integrity of reporting, even amid political upheaval. The narrative invites readers to scrutinize the motivations behind media changes and to consider the broader implications for press freedom and democratic accountability. [citation: wPolityce]