Professional group proposes new standards for journalists

The Polish Journalists Association (SDRP), one of three journalism groups in the country, disappointed and confused some peers in the craft by proposing draft legislation outlining standards for Polish journalists that would force membership in a new organization. The SDRP sent a draft of proposals to the editorial departments of dozens of publishing companies weeks ago but it was not until the Senate's Media and Culture Committee was discussing the legislation in mid-April that the draft became big news. Media professionals were shocked by reports that the draft would require journalists to have journalism degrees. In fact, the proposal stipulates that journalists have a minimum of a university education. "It was the association and the community (of journalists) that were behind creating this draft," said Wiesław Marnic, SDRP's secretary and a reporter who covers the automotive sector. "It was our team's work and it's only a draft of a draft whose goal is to decide whether we need self-government in our community."

Under the proposal, journalism guilds in the form of central and local chambers would be set up similar to organizations of doctors or lawyers that would be able to mediate between journalists and their employers. Journalists would be divided into two categories: professionals, whose main source of income is from journalism, and interns. For professional journalists membership in the guild would be mandatory. The guild would also decide who has the right to practice journalism. The proposals have raised serious doubts among some journalists. "Whenever I hear that membership in a certain organization is mandatory I become really careful and suspicious," said Stanisław Michalkiewicz, a well-known conservative columnist who was imprisoned during the martial law. "They say you will need to be a member of the guild to be able to prove that you can be a professional journalist but all I need to be a journalist is a pencil, a sheet of paper and a publication that will publish my story. All this (the draft) is about is power. It's a way of getting rid of independent journalists." For its part, SDRP's Marnic said the proposed self-government of journalists would be free of political bias.

"With no political affiliations it would simply deal with basic problems of journalists that associations like SDRP cannot do," Marnic said. One of the draft's proposals is that employers be required to propose two candidates for the position of editor in chief so that journalists have a chance to voice their opinion. "We are now waiting for suggestions and after introducing some amendments we will talk with employers. Finally, we would like either Senate or Sejm deputies to submit this draft," Marnic said. Michalkiewicz was particularly skeptical about the way the first members of the new guilds would be selected. "Who would prove they're professional journalists," he said. "They would do it themselves and they would be usurpers who would decide about hundreds of others." Marnic said the reactions of journalists who reviewed the draft were mixed. "Most say 'yes' to the concept of a self-government but they don't like the details," he said. There are three associations and two trade unions that represent Polish journalists.