The Polish media have shaped political views and cultural tastes of the 19th- and 20th-century intelligentsia. The press was highly politicized and its history involved constant struggle with the censorship office, until the collapse of the communist regime in Poland in 1989. The radio and television were first regarded as cultural and educational, rather than political, tools, although they too were dominated by the state and only recently have become more commercialized. This entry provides an overview of the media in Poland, including its history and contemporary developments in traditional and new media.

Partitioned Poland of the 19th Century

The first Polish newspaper was Merkuryusz Polski Ordynaryjny, published once or twice a week between January and July 1661. It was not until the mid-19th century, however, that, ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles