Panel: RELIGION, JOURNALISM, AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN EUROPE



599.4 - CLERGY AS GUESTS OF JOURNALISTIC PROGRAMMES IN THE POLISH MEDIA (2015-2025)

AUTHORS:
Królicka B. (Nicolaus Copernicus University ~ Toruń ~ Poland)
Text:
The historically rooted special position and role of the Polish clergy as moral authorities and defenders of Polish identity have been gradually evolving since 1989, in response to political and cultural changes. Despite ongoing secularisation processes, the Catholic clergy continue to play a significant religious, moral, and opinion-forming role in Poland. Moreover, they actively participate in public discourse, and their statements sometimes extend beyond the religious and institutional dimensions of the Church. This study seeks to examine the participation of the clergy in Polish journalistic programmes between 2015 and 2025 and the role they play in these broadcasts. The quantitative component of the study is based on data monitoring radio and television journalistic programmes, covering 97 per cent of the media market. During the study period, approximately 1,100 clergy - predominantly Catholic - were identified as participants in the analysed programmes. They constituted 0.7 per cent of all guests and, when excluding politicians, 1.7 per cent of non-partisan guests. The analysis also considers the clergy's representation by medium type and the broadcaster's ideological profile. The qualitative component of the study investigates the reasons for clergy participation in journalistic programmes, identifying the topics discussed and the roles they assume in these discussions. The clergy's media presence is often linked to the liturgical calendar or significant events in the Church's life. It is also connected to issues beyond religious matters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, large-scale disasters, or charitable activities. Additionally, the study identifies the role of clergy as commentators on political life.