Paryskie Radio „Solidarność” – zapomniany epizod w radiofonii

Parisian “Radio Solidarity” started broadcasting a few days after imposing martial law in Poland, in December 1981. Frenchmen, who were its originators and founders, by creating that radio, they mainly set out to support fights against world’s totalitarian systems and to foster all bearing democracies in the communist countries, therefore new political situation in Poland played only secondary role. However, it was not long until Radio Solidarity became a “Polish voice”. Many creative, dedicated and young Poles, stopped in France by martial law, started creating strong basis of the radio crew. Among its members there were also emigrants from other countries – those of the Eastern Block and from Afghanistan and some French political, social and trade unions’ activists. Radio programmes were initially broadcasted in French because they were aimed at francophone listeners. Then particular transmissions were also in Polish. Due to the fact that the broadcast coverage was limited, no-one but people living in Paris and in suburbia was able to listen to it. Radio Solidarity was informing both, French and Polish listeners, about current political situation in Poland. It was also deeply engaged in organizing help for Poles staying in France and for fellow countrymen living in Poland – especially for the internees and their families. Furthermore, French trade unions’ activists and many nongovernmental organizations’ members were offered access to “live” radio transmissions in order to discuss and exchange opinions with the listeners. As the radio was developing, its engagement in activity for the defence of human rights increased, nonetheless the Polish issue was being raised the most frequently in many radio programmes. Radio Solidarity reached its climax of popularity in 1982 as a result of public concern in France about Polish problem. Radio Solidarity was not at service of any political organisations’ nor of trade unions’ and was not sponsored regularly. Moreover, the radio crew never derived financial benefits from their work, they worked for free – for the society. Despite the fact that the radio was being offered financial support from many its friends, the permanent lack of money was really problematic. Once, in 1991, the permission to broadcast expired – Radio Solidarity eventually stopped existing.