In Poland, there’s an intense battle over control of the airwaves, involving the country’s public broadcaster, TVP. The struggle began after the 2023 elections, which ended eight years of populist rule.
Under the previous right wing government, public TV and radio channels had become fiercely partisan.
The new coalition government, led by Donald Tusk, promised to restore balance to the media and stop funding what they called a “factory of lies and hatred”.
Senior opposition figures staged a sit in at TVP offices, denouncing an illegal takeover. They overwhelmed security, burst into the lobby, and occupied the building.A rival management team also entered the main news building in Warsaw. The police presence remains heavy, with constant ID checks in Warsaw. Journalists have moved into TVP’s main studios, researching and editing wherever they find space.
The 24 hour channel, TVP Info, is back on air but broadcasting from a cramped space. The flagship evening news show, now rebranded as 19:30, aims to present a more open and balanced perspective.
This battle for airwaves is part of a much broader power struggle in Poland.
As the country shifts away from the right, public TV and radio are caught up in the political crossfire
