Poland’s “bad” image

Magda Klimkiewicz, Polish PR portal PROTO, asked me to participate in a project to overcome via PR Poland’s bad image. There is a strong concern regarding “Polish death camps” memory.

I’m posting a short description of PROTO project and a link to the answers of several PR pros.

Lately, we have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camp. Polish media have reported on publications in foreign media, in which the term “Polish death camps” was often used. The examples of such articles in mainstream foreign press, including the New York Times, Guardian, Le Soir Illustre, Bild, Stern, Corriere della Sera, Der Spiegel and Le Monde, were shocking for Polish public opinion. Politicians, journalists, historians and readers asked for reminding foreign journalists that reckless and intentional use of such a term is offending and disgraceful. Also, Polish government and ministry of foreign affairs were asked to put attention of foreign countries to the fact that this term is inconsistent with the historical truth. Some European media supported this action. Because of such an amount of unfavorable publications, we started to ask ourselves about the image of Poland abroad in connection to “Polish death camps” and what should we do to make it more favorable. That’s why PRoto decided to ask foreign PR specialists whether this term can influence image of Poland and what should we do to do to improve it. Below you’ll find a link to the answers we received. There’s also space for adding comments.

http://www.proto.pl/raport_proto/info?itemId=13160

Love to hear your thoughts.