BROADCASTING FREEDOM: The FIRST AMENDMENT, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, VOICE OF AMERICA, RADIO FREE EUROPE AND IMPLEMENTING DEMOCRATIC CHANGES IN POLAND

Bartosz Bilinski, Jagiellonian University Cracow, Yeshiva University - Cardozo School of Law, New York

Abstract

Article discusses issues related to Freedom of Press prescribed in the First Amendment and its notion in establishing and existence of foreign language broadcasting to Poland after II World War. It lays ground by describing history of free press and media in Poland, both during times of independence and occupation by Germany and 50 years of Soviet domination. Touching on political goals of foreign broadcasting, article depicts connection of broadcasts to constitutional rights written into First Amendment and international notion of freedom such broadcasts have carried, leading to conclusion of an unprecedented role of broadcasts in development and strengthening of democratic processes in socialist and post-socialist Poland.