The leader of the KO parliamentary club, Borys Budka, explained on TOK FM why the so-called visa scandal did not move voters meaningfully and did not produce polling gains for the opposition. Budka argued that the public media landscape shapes perception and, in turn, political attitudes.
What explains the lack of a measurable impact on PiS, and why did even the government’s own officials appear insulated from the scandal’s effects?
– posed the interviewer, Mikolaj Lizut, in questioning Budka.
Budka asserted that tens of billions of zlotys were spent on PiS propaganda. He claimed that many PiS supporters remain unaware of these scandals because they lack access to independent, trustworthy information. He argued that state media, such as government television, often repeats every claim while simultaneously suppressing information that would reveal government scandals.
– He added that there are numerous television channels, radio stations, newspapers, and online outlets that support the opposition, ensuring that voters can access alternative viewpoints.
“We are facing a large machine, a substantial flow of money.”
Budka maintained that without today’s media market, PiS ratings would likely be several percentage points lower. He described the situation as a battle against a powerful machine and significant financial resources, insisting that the opposition must convey information far more aggressively than PiS does.
– Budka remarked.
Despite these remarks, the PO figure expressed hope that KO would surpass PiS in the polls following Donald Tusk’s march in October.
He pointed to the Million Heart March as evidence that a larger group of well-meaning people aligns with the right, and he expressed confidence that public support could shift between KO and the ruling camp.
– he stressed.
During the discussion, it became apparent that the opposition did not maintain a consistently critical stance toward public media. At times Budka suggested that TVP is largely disregarded, while at other moments he implied that the opposition’s weak polling results were influenced by TVP’s reporting.
tkwl/TOK FM
Note: observations about media dynamics in political coverage are frequently discussed in Polish public discourse, with analysts noting how different outlets frame issues such as visa-related coverage and government transparency. For context, see commentary from various outlets listed in public discourse markers. (citation: wPolityce)