John Paul II's pontificate in the broadcasts of Radio Free Europe’s Polish Broadcasting Station

Abstract

Objectives The article outlines the role of John Paul II's pontificate as shown in the broadcasts of Radio Free Europe’s Polish Broadcasting Station from 1978 to 1994. Material and methods For this purpose, selected programmes available on Radio Liberty’s website were examined. The source material was compared with press publications in the monthly Na Antenie. The literature on the subject, including memoirs, letters, biographies and academic studies, provided the background for further consideration. The primary methods used in the article included media and press content analysis and critical analysis of the literature. A comparative analysis of the information contained in various sources was also useful. Results The analysis proved that radio broadcasts on the Pope were not only of religious, social and political natures, but also cultural. Considerable airtime was devoted to reports of papal pilgrimages to Poland, coverage of special speeches and day-to-day statements made by the Pope about current events in the country. Conclusions Considerable airtime was devoted to reports of papal pilgrimages to Poland, coverage of special speeches and day-to-day statements made by the Pope about current events in the country, including the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity, martial law, the imprisonment of Lech Walesa, and the killing of Rev. Jerzy Popieluszko. Both the election to the Holy See and details of the assassination attempt on the Pope in 1981 were covered. Original recordings of John Paul II's homilies, sermons and reflections were promoted.

Keywords

• john paul ii
• radio free europe
• rfe polish broadcasting station
• pontificate of the polish pope
• broadcasts of radio