Polish Public on the Ukrainian Refugees in the First Month of the Russian-Ukrainian War in the “Polityka” and “Gość Niedzielny” Weeklies: Research Report

Research Statement

Abstract

Abstract. 30 days after Russia’s attack on Ukraine 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees have crossed the border with Poland. The purpose of this article was to conduct a research on how two Polish weeklies with the highest circulation – “Polityka” and “Gość Niedzielny” – had presented the Polish public’s reaction vis-à-vis the Ukrainian refugees in the first month of the war. Focus of the analysis was also the interdependence between the articles, and initiatives undertaken by the government and by the Church aimed at helping the refugees. The quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis were applied in this article. The method of analyzing the context of the press discourse was also used. For the sake of the research a categorizing key and a questionnaire were prepared. Articles published during the research period show the above mentioned issue was not covered equally extensive, although the number of articles was similar. The articles published in both weeklies present a different picture of the Polish society that corresponds with their respective political affiliation.