Polish Press Agency

The Polish Press Agency (PAP) is a key media institution in Poland, with a history dating back to 1918 when it was established in Kraków and Lwów as the Polish Telegraph Agency. From its earliest days, it was characterized by dynamic growth, navigating various political and social periods. The agency was nationalized in 1924 and played a significant role in post-war communist propaganda, despite its formal independence. The PAP headquarters, located on Aleje Jerozolimskie in Warsaw, housed the agency from 1957 to 2001 and underwent modernization; today it is commonly known as the "PAP building." In 2004, PAP moved to its new headquarters, Liberty Corner, highlighting its evolution toward modern media work standards. Culturally, PAP is also responsible for organizing the annual plebiscite for Europe's best athlete, in which journalists from 21 press agencies participate. The agency maintains its mission of reliably reporting on important events both in Poland and abroad, and in 2013, it employed 400 staff and nearly 100 collaborators, including many foreign correspondents. Notable are the achievements of journalists associated with PAP, such as Ryszard Kapuściński, regarded as the "emperor of reportage," and Wojciech Jagielski, both repeatedly awarded for their work. PAP also awards the "Meritorious for the Polish Press Agency" badge to journalists, recognizing their contributions to the agency's activities. Despite current challenges, PAP also has expansion and modernization plans, including the development of an English-language news portal. The 1997 law transformed PAP into a state treasury company, and state budget funding enables its continued operations. It is also worth mentioning that in 2019, PAP merged with the publishing company "Rzeczpospolita," significantly enhancing its information resources. Recent changes in leadership and the potential liquidation registered in the National Court Register in 2023 mark new challenges for this institution and for Polish journalism as a whole.