After a half-century break, on December 3, 1989, the first issue of the Polish paper in Belarus was published under the name “The Voice from above Niemna”. This crucial minute gave emergence to the revival of Polish media in Belarus, which has since passed through various stages – from the revival to the crisis caused by the actions of the Belarusian authorities against the Polish Union in Belarus in 2005, which continues until today. As a result, most Polish media in Belarus were forced to transfer their publishing activities to emigration. This article will present a brief past of Polish media in Belarus and the current media landscape, as well as discuss the challenges these media face.
Legal framework and reality
Sole Article 33 Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and Act about the measures Mass Transfer au 2008 The year theoretically provides freedom of belief and expression, prohibiting media monopoly and censorship. Despite other legal acts and instructions limit these freedoms, which allows the refusal to registry independent media under various pretexts. Media backing by foreigners, citizens RB no living in the country and by anonymous sources is forbidden.
The situation of the media deteriorated importantly after the events 2020 year erstwhile many independent The media has been recognised by the Belarusian authorities as ,,extremist’ or related to extremist organizations. This besides applies to media released au Association of Poles in Belarus. W the current conditions are impossible to sale their press. The only paper published in Belarus in language Polish is ‘The Word of Life“ It is. It's a paper published by diocese Grodzieńska, which focuses solely on spiritual issues, without addressing the subject of Polish minority.
Generation and improvement of Polish media
Beginnings Polish press au Belarus reaches the end of the 1980s when, after long break, publications in Polish again began to appear. It is worth mentioning the first releases, specified as the “Voice from Niemna” which played a key function in the revival of Polish identity in Belarus. The first issue of the paper appeared as an additive Special to ‘Red Flag’ (in Lithuania, the KC body The Communist organization of Lithuania) on the occasion of the founding conference of the Polish Cultural and Educational Association i. Adam Mickiewicz in Grodno. No. No. It was inactive a regular newspaper, and only its announcement.
Self-contained Operation of the ‘Voice’ above Non-monetary’ started 12 June 1990, four days before the founding convention of the Union of Poles in Belarus. Initially, the paper was published as a monthly magazine, But in time, she evolved into a weekly magazine.. 20 September 1990 title the gained the position of the authoritative press body of the Union Poles in Belarus and was issued in Grodno. W 1992 ‘Voice from Niemna" gained wider coverage, being available in press kiosks on Belarus as a full as a biweekly, by 1993 year to go to the weekly format.
Initially, for the post of Chief Editor ‘Voice from above Nemna’ was called Vladimir Małaszkiewicz. In years 1992-2004 editors The primaries were Laura Mikhailik, Eugeniusz Skrobocki, Irena Jack., Andrzej Kusielczuk and Andrzej Dubikowski.
‘Voice above German“ was considered one from the most widely read Polish newspapers au East. W 1990-1996, Depending on from the financial condition of the Union, printout of the paper ranged from 7 to 12 thousands of copies. Presidenting period of Tadeusz Kruczkowski brought a noticeable decline in paper popularity. W December 2004 year reported a decrease in effort by 1 third. In 2005 year, as a consequence of the conflict within the Union of Poles on Belarus (ZPB)), inspired by government Belarus, two versions began to appear parallel ‘Voice from above Nemna” – 1 issued in Poland by the independent Union led by Andeliki Boris and the another by organisation supported by Belarus regime. Eventually, a paper supported by government did not last due to deficiency of state funding.
Another title published by the Union of Poles is the magazine ‘Magazine Poland’, which debuted in March 1992. ‘Magazine“ It was initially printed in Slovenia. The diary focused on the problems of Poles in Belarus during various historical periods. Experts from Belarus and Poland, as Prof. Iwona Kabzińska or Prof. Zdzisław J. Winnicki, and experts of the life of the Polish number in the Kresach Mountains, specified how to Fr. Prof. Roman Dzwonkowski, they contributed to content writings. Young researchers specified as Jan Szumski besides collaborated with him. “Polish Magazine” discussed issues related to national awareness, history, and cartridge Poles in the civilizational improvement of Belarus, focusing on Polish traditions and literature, especially poetry. The main recipients were educated people curious in Polish past and culture. Due to limited financial resources, the magazine appeared irregularly. After break in ZPB in 2005, ,Polish Magazine” started be issued in Poland, with the entry ‘,au refugees“.
By years, in consequence to the increasing needs of the Polish community, There were more titles, covering both printed press, and later media Electronic.
On In the early 1990s, the letter “Earth of Lidzka” was founded in Lida.It’s okay. ” This title referred to to the diary o this name itself, issued was in Lida from 1936 to 1939. Characteristic for this release was his historical-national profile, and its publisher was the Society of Culture of the Polish Lidsko Region. Key character in the past of this magazine was Aleksander Kołyszko, long-term President Society and editor of the magazine. ‘Earth Lidzka” appeared irregularly, and her last issue was released in 2011.
Another crucial title that appeared In in the 1990s, it is “The Word of the Motherland” Gazeta published by Poland Matrix School in Grodno was mainly addressed au teachers, educators and children, playing a crucial educational function and educational In Polish language teaching centres in Belarus. Sorry., as in the case of ‘Earth Lidzka’, faced financial obstacles, lack of backing in 2014 and 2015 led to his liquidation. At the initiative of Poland Matrix School was besides born ‘Yearbook Grodno“ A Popular discipline magazine on Earth Grodno. This writing had on purpose combining the perspectives of the Polish and Belarusian past of the region, presenting topics common to both nations. Though it did not avoid hard issues, Its main intent was to item aspects connecting Poles and Belarusians. Last number ,Grodzieński Yearbook’ appeared in 2020.
From 2004 year in Poland is issued quarterly ‘Echo Polesia“. The diary serves as official press organ of the Brest branch of the Union of Poles in Belarus. Editor General from the beginning is Alina Jaroshevich. The diary provides information about the social life of Poles in Polesie, with emphasis on culture, past and matters regional. In time, the magazine was besides included Chapter the publication from which they came out interesting books, of which fore-ends, translations, poetry collections and guides. ‘Echo Polesia” proceed their activities with financial support from the Freedom Foundation and Democracy.
From 2012 until Last time the year, Thanks. Anna Pansheva's involvementknown Polish activist in Brest, The magazine “The Boy Scout of Brest” was publishedIt’s okay. ” This one. periodical focused mainly on Boy Scout, Educational and Supporting Polish Youth in Brest.
In addition to the above mentioned titles, in various years, various publications were published., most frequently issued by end organisations in Poland. On Example In 1993-1999 in Koszalin was issued by the Society of Vilnius Lovers and east Edges for the ZPB Branch in Ostemiań.
In addition to conventional printed media, websites and profiles on social platforms besides play a key function today. Nowadays, more and more hope lies in the improvement of fresh forms of digital transmission. A perfect example of specified a task is the Virtual Belarus portal 24, run by the Young Kresa Foundation for 2 years thanks to the financial support of the National Institute of Freedom. In addition to this portal it is besides worth mentioning websites and blogs Znadniemna.pl, Polesie.org, Nowogrodźnia. jimdo.com, Poles grodzienczyzna.blogspot.com and Facebook profile "Polish region in Belarus? It should besides be mentioned that on TVP Polonia and tv Bielsat is regularly broadcast a weekly programme “Over Germany – a magazine of Poles in Belarus. In addition, all week on the broadcast of Belarusian Radio Rzeka is broadcast a radio broadcast "The Find of Niemna and Berezyna".
Challenges and perspectives of Polish media improvement
Modern realities for Polish media in Belarus are much more complicated. On 1 side, there is simply a strong request to keep Polish identity and language, of the another – these media face many obstacles.
Belarusian authorities recognized many independent media, of which Polish, for, or associated with, extremist organisations’. An example is portal Knowledge.en, which was listed on the list of extremist materials by the Ministry Information from Belarus. That's what government does., that publishing and making available content These media are considered a violation and their authors may be prosecuted as extremists. Of this because most journalists of Polish media were forced to leave the country, which further complicates the situation. Currently, many of these media are published in Poland, the challenge of adapting to a fresh environment and maintaining a close relation au recipients in Belarus.
Despite these obstacles, prospects for Polish improvement Media in Belarus are not completely negative. Development of digital technologies and the net opens up fresh opportunities for spreading information and maintaining contact au Polish community in Belarus. Internet portals, social media and online radio can service as alternate channels of communication, allowing the information and cultural mission to continue, despite political and geographical constraints. To meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities available, Polish media in Belarus must constantly adapt their strategies to a dynamic changing environment. Innovation can be the key, Use of fresh technologies digital tools, as well as building cooperation with media in Poland and abroad. Important is also support from the Polish government and society, which can play a decisive function In Continuity and development of Polish media in Belarus, Despite the difficulties and obstacles encountered.
