Comparative Media Systems: European and Global Perspectives

Main Professional Dilemmas of Journalists in Poland

Main Professional Dilemmas of Journalists in Poland Lucyna Szot Introduction The main professional dilemmas of journalists are shaped by their role and place in the media system. Therefore they reflect wider economic and political conditions. There are also numerous contradictions in the very essence of broadcasting and publishing activity among the state, the publisher, journalist, and the citizens. The social status of a journalist and his position in public life is determined by political and structural relations , as well as—especially nowadays—proprietary relations. This position marks the real limits of journalistic liberties and freedoms. The media system in Poland operates under strong political and economic pressure. Pressure from the political system is visible in the process of media politicization, and pressure from the economic system takes the form of media commercialization. A journalist is not, at least in principle, a political subject. At the same time, he is a channel and a filter through which political reality permeates society (Dobek-Ostrowska 2006, 180– 181). Because of this function, a journalist is under dual pressures. The first one is the pressure from political parties and the law (external pressure ), and it is visible in political parties’ desire to be present in the media. The other one is the internal pressure (orders and bans—in force in the media institutions) that depends on capital and business relations. Apart from proprietary relations, activities of the media institutions are determined by advertising contracts. Print publishers and TV and radio broadcasters are dependent on advertisers and companies acting on their behalf because, even if a newspaper is popular with readers, it might not make a profit without advertising revenue. The phenomenon of commercialization and the economic conditions in which the processes take place cause the pauperization of the journalistic profession in Poland. A journalist is under constant pressure, and if he wants to stay in the job, he cannot cross the political and business boundaries defined by the owner. One of the most significant professional dilemmas of a journalist is his mission of providing information. A journalist must decide if he wants to serve the interests of the citizen, the state, or the owner. In large media 210 Comparative Media Systems institutions a conflict is evident between the interests of the owner and the inalienable civil right to freedom of speech. The dilemma comes down to the answer to the following question: Is it more important for a journalist to develop his creativity and perform independent and original tasks connected with his mission of providing information, or to adjust to the needs of the editing organization determined by its management to fulfill the interests of the owner (often politically conditioned)? The phenomenon of media commercialization also causes problems for a journalist when he has to decide on his orientation and professional role. He needs to decide if he wants to work for the audience’s sake, or for society, or to try to satisfy the audience’s demand for commercial products (Mrozowski 2001, 242). He also needs to decide if undercover operations are justified, what the limits of privacy protection are, and so on. The role of a journalist to inform society is also based on his ability to choose the right criteria and select information. All too often, Polish journalists choose to be active participants in political and social life instead of taking a neutral, information-oriented role. Most media professions are characterized by a low level of professionalism , meaning a lack of clearly defined qualifications and rules of action determining the level of professionalism, which, along with the cult of individualism and talent, fosters the development of different ideologies (Mrozowski 2001, 242). Additionally, each journalist works in different fields of expectations, evaluates his own work in a different way, and has different criteria for success. 1. Duty to Serve Society, the State, or the Owner? The main dilemma of journalists is connected with their mission of providing information. Journalists must decide which is more important: developing their own creative skills and carrying out original conceptions , or just adjusting to the needs of the owner to fulfill its interests. According to Article 10 of the Press Law Act in Poland, “it is a journalist ’s duty to serve the society and the state” (Ustawa z 26 stycznia 1984 r. prawo prasowe, Dz.U. z 1984r, art. 10). The law mentions community service first, regarding journalism as a public mission. An independent journalist in a democratic country should fulfill this mission. Therefore expanding the...