Tuba polskiego emigracyjnego rządu w Londynie – „Dziennik Polski” w latach 1940-1943

Abstract

The article presents “Dziennik Polski” (The Polish Daily) issued in London in the years 1940-1943 as the political body of the Ministry of Information and Documentation of the Polish Government in Exile in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. The qualitative analysis of its content has clearly shown that the newspaper was a tube for the agenda of general W. Sikorski’s government on the international scene and shaped the image of the Polish Government in Exile among the Allies and the Polish diaspora. During that period, the newspaper had a monopoly on representing the political thought of exile communities. Recollections of the journalists indicate that “Dziennik Polski” was boring, uncritical and irritating with its constant praise of the government, Sikorskiʼs idolatry and incessant super-optimism. Writing to the newspaper did not bring journalist popularity. It did not enjoy the recognition and trust of the readers until 1944 when it merged with “Dziennik Żołnierza” (The Soldierʼs Diary), issued by Poles in Scotland in opposition to the Polish Government. As it was edited by experienced journalists, it performed an integrative and informative role for Polish wanderers in exile. During the Second World War it described the situation in occupied Europe and promoted the Polish reason of state; informed the Poles in military camps and civil gatherings about the development of the situation on the frontline, with particular emphasis on the participation of the Polish soldiers; provided information on the political situation in the world; satisfied the hunger for the native language of Poles on the foreign soil, who often did not know the language of the country they were in; helped in the search of people who got lost during the war; fought for the truth and exposed the Soviet reality. The paper was the chronicle of the Polish community life and contributed to the process of shaping a national culture, as it published the work of the Polish intellectual elite in exile.