Contemporary threats to freedom of information in press

Modern civilization depends on information. Freedom of information implied freedom of seeking, asking, demanding, getting and spreading informations (knowledge about reality) is exercised by mass media and has new challenges and emergency. Internet has changed the media environment – convergence of media and new features of communication by net (personalized, timeless, transfrontier, interactive) has changed also the sense and function of freedom of information exercised by media. Process of communication is very fast, depended on market of information and its rules, in consequence informations must be broadcasted fast, cheap and in easy way. Journalists are replaced by PR agencies, agenda setting, gatekeeping and mainstreaming – as means to make informations easier and well selled replaced traditional way of broadcasting. This process causes the transformation in quality of information and its function in understanding of the contemporary world. The law of media hasn’t any effective remedy to stop this process.

Polish exile in Belarus in the light of publications in “Dziennik Miński” (1917–1918)

“Dziennik Miński” was published between 1917 and 1918 in what is now Belarus. The newspaper was targeted at Poles living there for generations, as well as at refugees who came to the city as a result of enforced migration in the summer of 1915. The newspaper was a source of information about military developments on the fronts of the First World War. What is more, it provided news about politics, social and cultural lives, as well as the refugees and their lives away from home. The newspaper also provides research material concerning the relations between the refugees and the locals of Polish origin. Information was also available on the problems faced by the refugees on a regular basis and the operations of help organizations like Centralny Komitet Obywatelski (Central Civil Committee) or Polskie Towarzystwo Pomocy Ofiarom Wojny (Polish Society for Assisting War Casualties).

Polské uprchlictví v běloruských zemích na stránkách novin „Dziennik Miński” (1917–1918)

The Russian press’ response to the Act of 5th November 1916

This article discusses the reaction of the Russian press to the information about the Act of 5th November of 1916 proclaimed by Germany and Austria-Hungary with regard to the independence of Poland together with the response of Russians and Poles alike.

Polish Journalism Pioneer at the Turn of 20th Century. Aleksander Świętochowski and His Relations with Press

From the age of 23 until his death at the age of 89, thus for more than half a century, Aleksander Świętochowski was associated with the Polish press. He was an author of texts, editor and publisher, owner of three magazines: „Prawda” („The Truth”), „Kultura Polska” („Polish Culture”), and „Humanista Polski” („The Polish Humanist”). Despite numerous additional activities in the public sphere - literary, social and educational, political - biographers unanimously believe that, above all, he was a journalist and in this role he had no equal. The aim of the article is to show life of „ The Apostle of Truth” through the prism of his relations with the press. The main theme has been set in the broader context of the political realities of the time. Due to the wide time span, the professional career dynamics of the protagonist and the evolution of his image were taken into account. Świętochowski’s approach to work, as well as his view on the surrounding reality, has been analyzed and an attempt has been made to assess the motives behind his decisions related to his profession.

The article presents the circumstances of creation the magazine titled “Prace Polonistyczne” which focuses on the study of literature and didactics of literature and Polish language. The history of the magazine in 1937-39 was described as well as the forms of editorial activity. The main focus is put on bringing closer profiles of editors and contributors of the magazine: Stefania Skwarczyńska, Wilhelm Falleka, Tadeusz

My case study examines an issue of Slovak occupation of the northern parts of Spisz and Orava regions in years 1939–1945 in the narration of the „Nový svet” – weekly newspaper. Slovak Army`s participation in invasion of Poland in September 1939 was an important topic for press all over that new country. Media platforms were informing their readers about military successes and diplomatic arrangements. In the article I analyse the process of creating propaganda narrative about attack, annexation and then administration over the conquered lands. The weekly was richly illustrated, so I write about role of the text as well as the picture. It should be remembered that many Slovaks were still illiterate at that time. The article considers if the narration has changed over the years.

In the first years after World War II, the effects of the war were eliminated, industry was nationalized, agriculture was collectivized, and annexed areas were merged with the rest of the country. In Lower Silesia, the Polish authorities wanted to implement a development plan. To this end, it was necessary to launch and develop industrial and agricultural production and to prepare means of transport and communication. The task was difficult because the new terrain required solving the problems of social issues, ordering and activating industry and taking initiatives in the area of educational and cultural life. The establishment of enterprises and industrial plants in Lower Silesia was associated with the preparation of an educational and cultural offer for employees, which took the following forms: libraries, common rooms, reading rooms and dance, theater, music, ballet and company orchestras. An important role in the above activities was played by the media: newsreel and Lower Silesian press. They published information about the initiatives of the management of workplaces in the direction of promoting the activity of spending free time by workers and the creation of new places for the development of interests and opportunities for innovative activities. The economic development of the Recovered Territories after the war took place in complex political and social conditions. The problem was the post-war chaos and the limited possibilities of the state, which did not have adequate financial and material resources that had to be allocated for reconstruction. The aim of this article is to present educational initiatives in factories and plants in Lower Silesia after World War II. Drawing attention to the implementation of ideological and political assumptions through the prism of cultural activities with the use of local press.

“We enjoy frequenting seasonal resorts” – Polish travels to Prussian and German resorts (1850–1914)

This study examines written sources documenting Polish travels to German resorts from the the mid-19th century until the outbreak of World War I. The topic at hand encompasses multiple disciplines, including literary history and cultural anthropology. Among the resorts popular among Poles in the 19th century, Baden-Baden emerges as the most prominent German spa town which attracted the then elite of Europe. It gained its reputation due to the beneficial climate and hot springs as well as a diverse array of recreational activities. As the political situation deteriorated (the Kulturkampf, Prussian restrictions), Polish trips to German resorts came to be viewed in a political context. As a result, a campaign for boycotting „the baths” was launched in the Polish press. Written sources documenting Polish travels to German and Prussian resorts from the 19th and early 20th centuries provide insight into the historical context of the period, and offer a unique perspective on various political, economic, and social issues.