The Bydgoszcz press of the May 1926 Coup

Abstract

The subject of the article is reports that appeared in the Bydgoszcz press on the May Coup, carried out by Józef Piłsudski in 1926. The author assesses reliability of the published accounts, methods of information gathering, the skill of selection of frequently contradictory news, and also the range of recipients. The press constituted a significant factor that influenced the society, reporting and commenting on political life, presenting a wide scope of political and ideological opinions. On the other hand, the press and publication offer reflected the views of residents of a specific city or region of Poland. Due to this reason, not all parties had their press organs in Bydgoszcz. In the analyzed period, three titles played the leading role, becoming the main source of this article. They included “Dziennik Bydgoski”, with close ties to Christian Democracy, “Gazeta Bydgoska” - an ideological instrument of the National Democracy, and “Deutsche Rundschau in Polen”, representing the German minority. The first report on an outbreak of fights on the streets of Warsaw was published by the Bydgoszcz press on May 15, making the front page. The topics discussed by the local press included provocations from both sides, the meeting on Poniatowskiego Bridge, forces of rebelling and pro-government armies, diversion operations of Marshal’s followers, and the attitude of civilians. The Bydgoszcz press was particularly interested in opinions of people living in Kuyavia and Wielkopolska, where pro-government views prevailed. The most extreme judgments were presented by “Gazeta Bydgoska”, whereas “Dziennik Bydgoski” seems trustworthy. Its writers expressed their opinions on the May events in a very subdued tone, trying to gather as much detailed information as possible.