The participants on the program Salon Dziennikarski debated the demonstration titled Protest of the Free Poles, organized by PiS on January 11. Leading PiS figures, including President Jarosław Kaczyński and former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, publicly invited people to join the march. Their presence underscored the party’s commitment to mobilizing support through a high-profile event that aimed to shape the narrative around labor, media freedom, and civic participation.
First, the challenge facing organizers is substantial and will demand sustained effort. This is not a single-issue event but a long-running issue that will unfold over many years. Persistence will be essential, but it must be paired with a broader strategy. The protests should not be purely partisan; they ought to draw from social concerns and common grievances that resonate across diverse communities. A balanced approach would involve forming teams tasked with documenting circumstances such as job losses and labor disputes, and with raising alarms whenever lawful standards are breached. Through such oversight, the movement can demonstrate seriousness and accountability while avoiding polarization that could alienate potential supporters.
Piotr Semka, a columnist for the weekly magazine Do Rzeczy, emphasized that the movement should ground itself in concrete realities rather than slogans alone. Journalists and observers alike stress the importance of listening to ordinary people who face uncertainty and hardship, and of presenting evidence about how policy decisions impact households and families on a daily basis. This focus on lived experience helps ensure the protests remain relatable and credible to a broad audience rather than appearing detached from daily life.
Marek Grabowski, chair of the Mom and Dad Foundation, argued that PiS has not yet fully engaged grassroots networks. He suggested that a more inclusive approach could involve partnerships with community organizations, schools, and local volunteer groups to broaden outreach and deepen trust. According to Grabowski, acknowledging the value of bottom-up perspectives would mark a meaningful shift in strategy and could inform policy dialogue in the weeks and months ahead.
Grabowski also offered a critical assessment of the last eight years, noting a perceived hesitation by the party to rely on social movements as a counterbalance to centralized power. That hesitation, he said, was a misstep that could be corrected in future electoral cycles through deliberate, transparent collaboration with community advocates. He urged a pragmatic recalibration that respects grassroots energy while maintaining a clear, constructive political program that can mobilize supporters without eroding democratic norms.
“The social power and energy remains strong,”
The social energy behind these demonstrations remains robust. Observers noted moments when it appeared that electoral outcomes might tilt decisively, suggesting that the conservative base could be feeling frustration or fatigue and evaluating current events with heightened scrutiny. Yet the momentum of public mobilization persists, reflecting a belief among many participants that reforms tied to media accountability and economic fairness require ongoing attention. While protests against perceived assaults on public media are numerous, organizers recognize that participation levels can vary over time, and the course of the movement will continue to shape public discourse and civic expectations.
The trajectory of these protests is considered pivotal for the broader social fabric. Analysts highlight that turnout and visual documentation will be crucial for conveying a message of resilience and collective strength to the country, helping to demonstrate that citizens are actively engaged in safeguarding media freedoms and democratic processes. The impact of early actions is seen as a potential catalyst for broader engagement and policy dialogue that extends beyond immediate political interests.
Some observers argue that the public mood reveals an unease about the dynamics of power and how it is exercised. There is a perception that ordinary voters feel their voices are not sufficiently heard, which can intensify a sense of frustration and impatience. Yet others caution against equating protest with a monolithic stance, emphasizing the diversity of views within the audience and the need for peaceful, lawful demonstration as a pathway to constructive change. The discussion continues to focus on how best to channel this energy into transparent governance and accountable media oversight.
Jolanta Hajdasz, director of the SDP Press Freedom Monitoring Center, underscored the urgency of protecting journalistic integrity and ensuring that media consumers have access to reliable information. She stressed that public trust depends on clear reporting about political developments, societal concerns, and the challenges faced by everyday people trying to make ends meet, especially families balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
Marek Markiewicz, a lawyer, highlighted the potential for subtle influence within public media controlled by nominees of a coalition. He warned that topics inconvenient to those in power might be sidelined and that silence can function as a form of pressure. He cautioned that opponents could use quiet mechanisms to shape public perception, and he urged vigilant examination of how information is framed and disseminated across outlets.
The overall conversation centers on the need for open dialogue, balanced reporting, and transparent accountability. The speakers stressed that a healthy civic culture depends on informed citizens, ethical journalism, and policies that reinforce media independence and public trust. The discussion is ongoing, with many voices contributing to a broader, more nuanced understanding of how to safeguard democratic processes in a complex political landscape.
tkwl/wPolce.pl
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Source: wPolityce