Journalists in Poland

The number of journalists grew remarkably in Poland in the last decade. However, while at the beginning of the 1990s newly-hired journalists didnęt have professional training or university degree, in the subsequent years and nowadays graduates of journalism studies enter the profession more often.

Nevertheless, the journalist community in Poland still remains heterogeneous and divided, particularly as regards its organisational character. There are among them many well-trained professionals, as well as those who enter the profession thanks to of political connections. It is also the case that the majority of media management staff (especially public, but also private to some extent) are often ćpolitically-appointedę. The Journalistsę Association of the Republic of Poland consists of 7.5 thousand of members, whereas the Polish Journalistsę Association about 1.5 thousand. There are also other journalistsę organisations such as the Catholic Journalistsę Association (about 500 people), the Polish Syndicate of Journalists (of trade union nature ś more than 1400 people), and the Trade Union of Journalists (150 people), as well as some other associations of local press journalists (about 1200 people unofficially). Due to the lack of co-operation between the biggest journalistsę associations and a great variety of union organisations there exists neither a powerful representation of the journalist community nor one common standpoint in parliamentary discussions (esp. as regards amending the press law, passing social agreements). Moreover, owing to this heterogenous character, journalistsę environment is not a partner in any talks with the Polish Chamber of Press Publishers or the broadcasters.

Full-time journalists worry about their careers, esp. because the number of those co-operating is increasing steadily (this includes mostly freelancers and those who keep their own companies offering ćjournalistic servicesę). Moreover, journalists lose their posts for political reasons, or decisions made by media owners (which are usually not well justified). The freedom of press means the freedom for publishers not for journalists.

The process of rejuvenating editorial staff is still in progress, which, additionally, is strengthened by waves of graduates of journalistic studies.

The feminisation of the media profession also increased. Women constitute the majority of journalism studies graduates, however, they do not became professional journalists as often as men do. It is estimated that about 50% of journalists (employed in Polish media) are women. There are more and more women working for dailies, however, they constitute an absolute majority in popular women magazines, which are published mainly by German publishing houses.

Moreover, there are significant disproportions in payments between journalists from the capital city and other regions/provinces. Usually, journalists in Warsaw earn above the  domestic average salary in Poland (sometimes much above and sometimes they work for two or more different editors or publishers), whereas local journalists often earn within the limits of the average salary or even less than that. Nevertheless, co-workers (especially novice) receive the same low fees everywhere.

Journalists often change their jobs ś within the press alone, but also passing from radio to television or vice versa. Radio journalists get jobs in newly-formed television stations (e.g. TVN, TV Puls), and public radio journalists become employees of private stations. As far as the press is concerned, it is usually the case that journalists pass from dailies to magazines not the other way round. Journalists in cities have a limited media job offer but the situation of local journalists is much worse.  They have a choice between 1-2 titles to work for. Sometime they try to find the job by ćgoing to the capital cityę. However, due to personal (family) matters and uncertainty about the future only a small number of local journalists risk leaving their local environment. Those who stay, usually find themselves in posts like spokesman, PR workers for different firms, or local newspapers employees, or in extreme situations, they change their professions.

According to public opinion polls and journalists themselves, the journalist profession has significantly gained the prestige. Placing journalistic profession among the ćprofessions of the futureę as well as a growing interest in journalistic studies confirms this tendency.

According to the journalists their profession allows them to influence public opinion and as ćthe fourth estateę they can control those in power, though sometimes such activities are constrained for political, business (advertising) and social reasons.

For many young people becoming a journalist is a great adventure, for such job allows to participate in many important political, social and cultural events. Besides, journalists have countless possibilities to travel abroad thanks to sponsors, politicians and various advertising campaigns. In addition, it must be stated that such a picture of journalistic profession is created by the journalists themselves.

The self-image of Polish journalists