Journalist Societies and Public Welfare Organisations

Jolanta Hajdasz

This article discusses the dillemma associated with the transformation of journalist societies into public welfare organisations. The article on public welfare activity and volunteer work, effective January 1, 2004, imposes high expectations on non-profit organizations but, in retrun gives them financial rewards (for example a waiver from paying some taxes and court fees). What are the disadvantages of changing status for specific organisations like journalist socities? Why did the two different journalist societies, Stowarzyszenie Dziennikarzy Polskich and Stowarzyszenie Dziennikarzy Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, take opposing views on this matter (at least for the first six months of the article being in force)? And what will be the consequences? These are the questions this article attempts to answer.

KEYWORDS

journalist, non-government organisations, public welfare organisations, citizens' community