Lower Silesia Press History

Question 1

What are the three types of press during Poland’s Communist era? (and examples)

Answer 1

A-type: Party Daily (Gazeta Robotnicza)
B-type: Intellectual Daily (Słowo Polskie)
C-type: Evening Newspaper (Wieczor Wrocławia)

Question 2

How and when did Gazeta Wrocławska come to be?

Answer 2

In Dec 1948, Wrocławski Kurier Illustrowany and Trybuna Dolnośląska merged to become Gazeta Robotnicza. Then in the mid-90s, name changed to Gazeta Wrocławska.

Question 3

How and when did Słowo Polskie come to be?

Answer 3

Began in Lviv in 1895, then moved to Wrocław in 1946

Question 4

When did Gazeta Wroclawska merge with Słowo Polskie? What about Wieczor Wrocławia?

Answer 4

1 Dec 2003, the two merged. Wieczor Wrocławia became the Friday magazine.

Question 5

How did the duopoly become a monopoly in Sept 2003?

Answer 5

Orkla sold Słowo Polskie and Wieczor Wrocławia to PPG

Question 6

What was the backlash after Orkla sold out to PPG?

Answer 6

Journalists protested, antimonopoly proceedings took place, led by Janusz Dobrosz MP from Polish People’s Party

Question 7

Which two regulations were cited in the antimonopoly proceedings against PPG?

Answer 7

1. Consumer and Competition Protection Act on Wealth Concentration
2. Cabinet Decree on Turnover Calculation

Question 8

What was the result of the proceedings?

Answer 8

PPG was initially fined and ordered to restore competition, but they appealed and it was overturned. In the end, the CCP act was changed.

Question 9

When did “Bavarian Homage” take place, who was involved, and how did it end?

Answer 9

Aug 1997: Dziennik Baltycki Editor-in-Chief Andrzej Liberadzki writes article alleging connections between Pres. Aleksander Kwasniewski & KGB
Pres. sues Dziennik Baltycki and Zycie
VGP CEO Hirtreiter writes an apology to the president and publishes in Dziennik Baltycki
Liberadzki was forced to quit his job

Question 10

When did “Left(-ist) Interview” take place, who was involved, and how did it end?

Answer 10

March 1997: Slowo Polskie publishes an interview with Editor-In-Chief Jan Wawrzyniak and Pres. Aleksander Kwasniewski
Interview about town development, questions sent earlier to the Pres office and his staff filled in the questions beforehand
The president appeared super Christ-like in his interview