Legal conditions of media functioning. Part I.

Jacek Sobczak

Pełny tekst artykułu English version of the article

Legal boundaries of freedom of the press are determined by: the Constitution, the Press Law Act and regulations of the Penal Code (art. 212, art. 216) and legal norms of the Civil Code defending personal rights. Elements of the journalistic ethical code should also play a considerable part. Freedom of the press is not boundless, although it is difficult to underestimate its meaning for the process of democratization. Free press strikes discussion and allows for the shaping of public opinion. However, more and more often, press abuses its position in order to deliberately and maliciously undermine the good name and honesty of other people. The power of the press means that politicians, who to the largest degree shape the law, are willing to go to far-standing concessions in terms of press law, not to run the risk of offending the journalistic industry, which has a huge impact on public opinion.

KEYWORDS

press law, journalistic profession, limits of freedom of the press, authorization, defamation, journalistic confidentiality