Kwiatkowska, HM; (2008) Conflict of images. Conflict of memories. Jewish themes in the polish right-wing nationalistic press in the light of articles from nasz dziennik 1998-2007. Doctoral thesis , University of London.

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Abstract

The thesis examines Jewish themes found in the right-wing nationalistic daily, Nasz Dziennik from its launch in 1998 up to 2007. The aim of the work is to expose and analyse the negative image of the Jew presented in Nasz Dziennik. This image is formed as the newspaper discusses the current affairs, especially the situation in the Middle East. It is also created through reflections on Polish-Jewish relations throughout history. This meant that the thesis touches on a variety of historical events, including those very contentious ones for both sides. The most prominent ones being the Holocaust, the Kielce 1946 pogrom, Stalinist persecutions and the Jedwabne murder case of 1941. In addition, the thesis explores the sociological, political and religious situation in the post-Communist Poland in order to shed light on what influences the rhetoric in Nasz Dziennik. The thesis explains the links the newspaper has with the right-wing political parties and Radio Maryja, infamous for broadcasting xenophobic and antisemitic material. The work includes a comparative study between the material in the newspaper and that found in a pre-war nationalistic-religious daily Maly Dziennik, which can be seen as its predecessor. The comparison allowed establishing connections between the newspaper's ideological agenda and the views advocated by the pre-war Endecja (National Democrats). Finally, the thesis demonstrates how the antisemitic rhetoric found in Nasz Dziennik stems out of the challenge to the over-idealised image of the Poles held by the right-wing circles. The more objectified image of the Poles is proposed by scholars, journalists and other intellectuals, who allow the Jewish perspective in the narrative of the Polish-Jewish relations. The thesis explains why this perspective, and in particular the narrative about the Jewish suffering during the Holocaust, threatens those who are associated with the reviving right-wing nationalistic ethos in Poland today.

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