Journalist groups, led by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), are urging Poland’s newly elected president, Karol Nawrocki, to prioritize media reform and uphold press freedom. Nawrocki, aligned with the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party and having taken office on June 1, is under pressure to bridge the political divide and work towards enacting the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) as well as adopting measures against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which threaten journalistic integrity, as highlighted by RSF and their partners.
The coalition emphasizes the necessity for cross-party cooperation to enact these reforms, which remain threatened by political infighting. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition-led government has made attempts to depoliticize media institutions and reduce SLAPPs, but efforts have been hampered by opposition resistance.
Pavol Szalai, head of the RSF European Union-Balkans Desk, expressed the importance of political consensus in enacting these reforms: “Together with our partners, we urge President-elect Karol Nawrocki to foster the political consensus needed to enact meaningful media freedom reforms — vital measures that, until now, have been threatened by presidential vetoes.”
The need for significant change is underscored by ongoing concerns about the political influence over Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), as detailed in an MFRR report. With the EMFA set to take effect in August and the EU’s anti-SLAPP Directive already adopted, Nawrocki’s administration faces the challenge of implementing these frameworks to protect editorial independence and transparency in media ownership.
Despite a reduction in verbal attacks and SLAPP suits since the 2023 elections, systemic protection remains inadequate, according to press freedom advocates. Journalists in Poland still face threats, especially when covering sensitive topics like gender, LGBTQ+ issues, and relations with Russia, with harsh defamation laws continuing to pose a risk.
The coalition’s joint declaration warns that failure to pass the recommended reforms could undo progress and weaken Poland’s democratic institutions. Nawrocki is urged to transcend partisan divides and foster cooperation within Parliament to enact much-needed legislative safeguards, as recommended by RSF and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR).
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