Power Struggle Over Airwaves Engulfs Poland's Leadership

Poland's main evening news studio is being heavily guarded by police officers, with the entire building of public broadcaster TVP surrounded by metal barriers and additional police officers. This is due to a battle for control of the airwaves, which has escalated into a broader political power struggle following elections last autumn. The previous right-wing government had turned public TV and radio channels into partisan platforms, leading to criticism and accusations of spreading lies and hatred. In response, the new culture minister dismissed TVP management and the 24-hour news channel was taken off the air, prompting opposition figures to protest and sieged TVP offices. Currently, journalists are working amid heightened security and tensions at TVP's main studios building, where they are producing news content in limited space. Although the channel is back on air, it is broadcasting from a small room. The flagship evening news show, renamed to 19:30, has also returned with a new team and editor, aiming to present a more inclusive and balanced perspective. However, the takeover of TVP by the coalition government has been criticized by opposition members, who argue that public media has been biased for the past eight years. Protests against the government's actions have occurred, with participants expressing concerns over the erosion of democracy and the politicization of Polish courts. The situation remains tense as the government and opposition continue to clash over control of the media.