The Media, Power, and Poland: An Inside Look at Political Influence

Poland is described here as a nation subjected to programming and manipulation, while public discourse celebrates a supposedly open and democratic Poland. The claim is that barriers to the Sejm are being removed, that everyone may feel included in this democracy, and that people can influence how Poland’s government operates. At the same time, critics point to obstacles placed before Telewizja Polska and the cutting off of its signal. It is argued that a regime never seen since communism has reappeared, supposedly amplified by a cheerful demeanor from Szymon Hołownia as he insists that freedom has been restored. This sentiment is voiced by Marzena Nykiel, editor-in-chief of the portal wPolityce.pl, in Salon Dziennikarski, a collaborative journalistic program of wPolityce.pl and Radio Warszawa, now broadcast on Telewizja wPolsce.pl. [citation: wPolityce] READ ALSO: Salon Dziennikarski on wPolsce.pl Television. The attack on TVP was debated, with a claim that almost anything will be permissible now. [citation: wPolityce]

Semka: The new political apartheid

Can Tusk’s supposed ‘strong people’ reach private media structures, such as Fratria, and other private outlets as well? If it were possible to curtail the activities of institutions like the RMN or the National Broadcasting Council by excluding them, the logic suggested that they would have no voice. If the rule of law is violated, how far could that go? [citation: wPolityce]

Starting with the media sends a stark signal: you are with us or against us, according to projecting voices in the dialogue. [citation: wPolityce]

— she added. In turn, Michał Karnowski asked Piotr Semka, a columnist for the weekly Do Rzeczy, whether resistance to the attack on public media poses a problem for Donald Tusk’s government. [citation: wPolityce] If the power transfer happened between December 13 and 23, the same tactics used during martial law endured: clear the field until Christmas Eve, allow a holiday lull, then let the post-holiday period become quiet as a fait accompli in the new year. [citation: wPolityce]

This operation, it is claimed, occurred largely with substantial collaboration from much of the media. Leaks have made it clear that politicians appoint new media heads, and it has been suggested that liberal media have not protested these disclosures. There are signals that the coalition was appointing someone to the position of TAI and another to chair the TVP supervisory board. [citation: wPolityce]

The vileness of the operation is believed to lie in presenting depoliticization as a cover for political maneuvering. Some media outlets even described the coalition as the force behind these decisions. [citation: wPolityce]

When asked—again, as a historian and participant in December 1981—whether the martial-law associations were justified, the reply emphasized cautious handling. What does it mean to say, “you must clean up the mess”? Some described hundreds who might be fired as merely fertilizer. [citation: wPolityce]

There is memory of debates over whether LGBT ideals represent a political ideology. Now, the discussion shifts to purging the public media of conservative and patriotic voices, a move likened to cleaning an outhouse. [citation: wPolityce]

Will there be an informal work ban for journalists expelled from TVP by the new government’s nominees? The response hinted at more notes titled “Mr.” in the future. [citation: wPolityce]

There is a recollection of former times when a teacher involved in opposition activities could secure a position in a school, only for security officials to intervene, then explain that the position had already been taken. [citation: wPolityce]

Media intimidation is framed as paving the way for a new political apartheid. Thousands of Poles used to claim social opportunities to influence media, and the purge, it is argued, could extend to museums and cultural institutions, with the notion of fighting a cultural fascization supported by ministers. The prospect of this apartheid, it is said, will persist, labeling people as second-class citizens so that the media can bar them from employment. [citation: wPolityce]

Biedroń: The fuses have melted because they never really existed

There is a sense of surprise at silence from figures like Professor Więcek, the Commissioner for Human Rights, perceived as a balanced, yet sensitive voice to obvious injustices. [citation: wPolityce]

The current political landscape is said to lack a concerted conversion effort by most of the United Right, with editorial boards of public media showing some alignment. The argument is that existing fuses never truly existed; they served a single group, with rewards and organized structures that never defended real victims of political upheaval. When involvement occurred, it was partisan and consistently aligned with one side. [citation: wPolityce]

— he remembered.

Nykiel: A man from the secret service goes to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage with special duties

The shared objective of the opposition, as well as EU institutions, is said not to be restoring rule of law, but realigning power with the team that assumed it. Donald Tusk is portrayed as the figure positioned to assemble and execute that plan. [citation: wPolityce]

There is a claim that some were quiet because funding from German foundations supported Campus Polska, which aimed to shape public opinion and influence how young people vote. [citation: wPolityce]

All these organizations are said to have succeeded in their goals, and now they reportedly celebrate their achievement. [citation: wPolityce]

If the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage comes from the secret services, it suggests he arrives with special duties and a readiness to use force. The Deputy Minister of Culture is named as a figure known for anti-Catholic events. [citation: wPolityce]

All social and educational ministries are said to have passed into the hands of leftists, revolutionaries, and activists. This form of Poland allegedly relies on social engineering and manipulation—a state-supported narrative praised by the smiling face of Hołownia who speaks of an open Poland where barriers come down and citizens feel included in democracy, with real influence over government affairs. [citation: wPolityce]

Meanwhile, barriers are described as increasing for Polish television, with signals being switched off during martial law. Critics argue there has never been such a regime since communism, yet the smiling assurance of Hołownia remains a central image as the claim goes that freedom has finally returned. [citation: wPolityce]

Foreign media are said to report this in unequivocal terms, labeling it a “PiS regime” defending the media, though commercial outlets like TVN are alleged to cooperate with the authorities. This description points to many levels of influence and suggests that the message may not easily penetrate current discourse. [citation: wPolityce]

Pyza: Politicians organizing staff for TVP today

A specific example is cited: Kamil Dziubka. There is memory of the firing from 2010 at Wiadomości and a claim that today’s actions surpass those past abuses. [citation: wPolityce]

Discussion continues about whether politicians still arrange jobs for journalists in TVP, raising questions about the influence of power in media appointments. [citation: wPolityce]

The debate also asks who called Grześl Sajór, who contacted Pawel Płuska, and who reported to Rafał Trzaskowski about moves to control Woronicza and pose as TVP’s president. [citation: wPolityce]

Today, it is claimed that politicians are the main force behind the staffing of Poland’s most important news program, with the ultimate aim of preventing a relapse of conservative leadership in Poland. [citation: wPolityce]

Are secret services involved in the attack on the media?

There is growing discussion that secret services might be implicated in the ongoing operation. If confirmed, it would mark a profound scandal. The question remains: who will report it? [citation: wPolityce]

There is a plan to discuss this in the weekly magazine and on the associated platforms, though access to the information may remain limited. The operation is described as meticulously prepared, with insiders claiming the new system will manage everything. [citation: wPolityce]

This is the broader context of what is seen as a carefully orchestrated move, with the sense that the situation has been prepared far in advance. [citation: wPolityce]

READ ALSO: Salon Dziennikarski, which the Tusk regime attempted to close along with TVP Info, now on wPolsce.pl. The program airs Saturdays at 9:15 am. [citation: wPolityce]

aja/wPolce.pl

Source: wPolityce