Journalism as a fundamental service to democracy. The role of limiting media independence in the process of democratic backsliding. Case study: Poland

Abstract

This thesis discusses the relationship between media and democracy, i.e. the role of media capture in the process of democratic backsliding. The analysis is based on the case of Poland, which was chosen due to its recent experience with democratic decline as well as significant issues with public media freedom and independence visible in recent years. The thesis is divided into three main parts, each one connecting political influence over media to the state of democracy in a country. The first chapter discusses the process of public media overtake by PiS government and characterises some of the human rights and rule of law violations that followed. The second part is dedicated to the European Union and Council of Europe’s efforts to combat negative media-related phenomenons, such as SLAAPs, in Poland and other Member States alike. Last part elaborates on the most recent developments in the field of media in Poland, which happened after the 2023 parliamentary elections, which brought the change of government. The thesis aims to provide an overview of the correlation between the lack of public media independence and democratic backsliding, characterise the systemic shortcomings (national and international) and propose solutions ameliorating the harmful situation.