Abstract
This article evaluates the extent of bias in selected Polish media outlets. It presents the findings of research conducted on political bias within Polish television and radio stations during the period leading up to the 2023 parliamentary elections. The study includes a content analysis of the three most popular Polish television news programs—TVP’s Wiadomości, Polsat’s Wydarzenia and TVN’s Fakty—and the news services of four radio stations—RMF FM, Radio Zet, Polish Radio (1st Program) and Radio TOK FM. All broadcasts were analysed in the month preceding election day (15 October 2023). The collected data were used to calculate visibility, exposure and overtone indicators for each participating electoral committee. These indicators were then utilised to compute the Media Political Bias Index, which enables the comparison of bias levels across different media outlets and within the same outlet at different times. The results of this index enable the identification of which news programs were the most and the least biased. The findings provide insights into the political bias landscape of television and radio stations in Poland during the specified electoral period, positioning each media outlet on a scale of political bias. The study confirms the research hypotheses, demonstrating that public media exhibited higher levels of bias compared to commercial media, both in television and radio formats. Additionally, among commercial media, those that extensively covered the election campaign showed greater bias, while those that addressed campaign topics less frequently displayed lower levels of bias.