We are facing a difficult and troubling moment. Violence dominates, not the law. The government appears to seize the institutions it considers independent, using force and provocation to mute the voice of genuine Polish television. Archives are purged of elements that have highlighted Poland’s historical mission, and symbols of Poland’s past are being removed from public spaces and government buildings.
German media outlets have published for Poland, presenting comments from the German press that urge authorities to deploy the full might of the police state and abandon constitutional norms. The aim is to disable those circles that have shown the courage to pursue Polish ambition and effectiveness.
In public spaces, there are loud, humiliating words designed to intimidate the elites and social circles that have governed Poland well for eight years, the democratic camp that recognized election results and transferred power peacefully.
Questions about the president’s powers are being framed, and public plans are discussed to remove him before his term ends. There is a call for major social mobilization to free MPs from prison and to empower the main opposition group.
These times call for character and courage, but also for solidarity, connection between people, careful analysis, and thoughtful reflection across all areas of social life.
In this context, the Academy of Social and Media Culture in Toruń hosted a symposium on Saturday titled Faces of the Media, drawing several hundred attendees from across Poland and abroad. The event offered a scientific and practical analysis of the current media market. See photos (photo: wPolityce.pl).
Participants gathered not merely to look inward but to recharge, renew, and consider what can be done in truth and love. The event underscored that the media should serve these values.
A key figure spoke about wise use of social media, emphasizing goodwill and a clear conscience. He warned that negligence is all too common, noting how people often tell others what to do while failing to act themselves. Reflection on the early days of Radio Maryja was recalled, when many requested a revival of efforts, and the speaker urged action rather than jokes, highlighting that good deeds may be silenced when people bury their heads in the sand.
Dr. Janusz Kawecki, former member of the National Broadcasting Council, discussed directives given to journalists by Pope John Paul II and stressed the need to apply social pressure on the largest commercial media to follow the law and uphold decent practices.
Editor Anita Gargas addressed the price paid by honest journalists who pursue the truth. Subsequent developments suggest that the next phase of the struggle will demand resilience against hostile reactions, even when evidence is strong and investigations are well-documented. Attention is drawn to concerns about judge bias that can become evident as cases unfold in court.
Jolanta Hajdasz, director of the Press Freedom Monitoring Center, spoke about the chilling effect produced by lawsuits used to intimidate journalists. In Poland, commercial media have sometimes leveraged this approach to silence critical reporting and maintain influence over public opinion.
Dorota Kania discussed the influence of younger generations in media and current politics. Co-author of the book Resort Kids, she highlighted examples from the media world. Television personalities associated with various outlets were mentioned as figures shaping contemporary discourse, illustrating how media leadership can exert broad influence.
Jakub Maciejewski, a columnist for Sieci and wPolityce.pl and a wartime correspondent in Ukraine, spoke about the three dominant groups among media workers—fools, opportunists, and agents—and how they influence conservative values within liberal media environments. He emphasized perseverance and conviction in defending those values.
The gathering also featured voices from Radio Maryja and TV Trwam, including graduates of AKSiM, who contributed to the discussion. The session was thoughtfully moderated by Dr. Klaudia Rosinska.
The overall message urged readers to analyze these statements with care and to take to heart a clear signal from Toruń: work, do not whine. The sentiment was that in difficult times, free Poles and Catholics can rely on Toruń’s legacy—an enduring contribution from the director’s family and those he gathered. The academy itself is presented as a place worth considering for younger generations.
The belief was expressed that if other centers could harness even a fraction of the energy Toruń radiates for Poland and the Church, the nation would be in a stronger position.