Polish media vow to protect press freedom amid gov’t influence fears

The editors of dozens of Polish media outlets published a joint declaration in defence of press freedom on Wednesday following complaints by critics of the country’s ruling nationalists that they are attempting to limit it ahead of elections this autumn.
Critics say the Law and Justice (PiS) party has made state-run media a propaganda outlet since it came to power in 2015, and independent publications and broadcasters say they have come under pressure from the government, an assertion it rejects.
The declaration came after two Polish news portals, this month said that people connected with the government had tried to put pressure on them.