Polityka w Polityce: How Politics Influences the Media in Poland

Poland is a country with a rich and turbulent political history, which has shaped its media landscape and culture. In this article, we will examine how politics influences the media in Poland, focusing on the case of wPolityce.pl, a popular news website that is often accused of being biased and pro-government.

What is wPolityce.pl?

wPolityce.pl is a news website that covers topics related to politics, economy, culture, and society in Poland and around the world. It was launched in 2009 by Fratria, a publishing company owned by Sławomir Cenckiewicz, a historian and former member of the Law and Justice (PiS) party. The website claims to be independent and objective, but it is widely seen as supportive of the PiS government and critical of the opposition parties, especially the Civic Platform (PO). The website also features a forum section where users can engage in discussions and debates on various issues.

How does politics influence wPolityce.pl?

Politics influences wPolityce.pl in several ways, such as:

• Ownership: The owner of wPolityce.pl, Sławomir Cenckiewicz, is a close ally of Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of PiS and the most powerful politician in Poland. Cenckiewicz has also been involved in several controversies related to his historical research and publications, which have been accused of being politically motivated and distorted. For example, he co-authored a book that claimed that Lech Wałęsa, the former president and Solidarity leader, was a communist agent
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• Editorial policy: The editorial policy of wPolityce.pl reflects the views and interests of the PiS government and its supporters. The website often praises the government’s achievements and policies, such as the social welfare programs, the judicial reforms, and the defense of national sovereignty. The website also often criticizes the opposition parties and their leaders, such as Donald Tusk, the former prime minister and current president of the European Council, whom it accuses of being corrupt, incompetent, and traitorous.
• Sources and facts: The sources and facts used by wPolityce.pl are often selective and biased. The website tends to rely on sources that are favorable to the PiS government or unfavorable to the opposition parties. The website also tends to omit or distort facts that are inconvenient or contradictory to its narrative. For example, the website reported that Poland had received more than 770 billion euros from the European Union since 2004, but it did not mention that Poland had also contributed more than 150 billion euros to the EU budget in the same period.

What are the benefits and challenges of wPolityce.pl?

wPolityce.pl offers some benefits and challenges for its users and for the Polish society, such as:

• Benefits: wPolityce.pl provides a platform for users who share similar political views and values to access information and opinions that resonate with them. It also provides a space for users to express their opinions and perspectives on various topics. It fosters a sense of community and belonging among users who support the PiS government and its policies.
• Challenges: wPolityce.pl also poses some challenges for its users and for the Polish society. It may create echo chambers and confirmation bias where users only interact with those who agree with them and ignore or dismiss those who disagree with them. It may generate misinformation and propaganda where users are exposed to false or misleading information or opinions that influence their beliefs or actions. It may cause conflicts and hostility among users who insult or attack each other based on their political or ideological differences.

Conclusion

wPolityce.pl is a news website that is influenced by politics in several ways. It is owned by a PiS ally, it follows an editorial policy that is pro-government and anti-opposition, and it uses sources and facts that are selective and biased. It offers some benefits for its users who support the PiS government, but it also poses some challenges for its users and for the Polish society. Therefore, users should be careful and responsible when using the website. They should respect other users’ opinions and rights, verify the information they receive or post, avoid personal attacks and insults, and seek constructive dialogue and understanding.