Chapter 10
In: Politics and the Media in Poland from the 19th to the 21st Centuries
Search for other papers by Dominika Popielec in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
Scientific objective: Investigative journalism is one of the ways of controlling behaviour in public life, politics in particular. In many cases, reporters’ investigations have revealed the machinations in the world of politics, which, in turn, have negatively affected the positive images of politicians holding high office. In many cases, this has not only resulted in the loss of public confidence or political position, but even changed the course of history. Investigative journalism has brought to light many scandals, including the Watergate scandal in the United States, and the Rywin scandal and the tape scandal in Poland. The intention of this article is to examine the effects of journalistic investigations on the image of public figures using selected examples. The research material includes publications of investigative journalists’ exposés of particular politicians. The aim of this is to analyse the impact of investigative journalism on the Polish political sphere using a number of examples (the Rywin affair, the Starachowice scandal, the Orlen scandal, the tape scandal, the scandal over the purchase of land, the PPE scandal – concerning the purchase of masks and respirators).
Research methods: The undertaken research used content analysis method, comparative method and case study.
Results and the conclusions: Polish investigative journalism not only publicizes and creates debate on important topics of public interest, but also stigmatizes those politicians involved, whether it is corruption, nepotism, law-breaking or indecency.
Cognitive value: The examples selected for analysis prove the impact of investigative journalism on the image of politicians.