What is Media Assistance and (Why) Does It Matter? The Case of Polish Foreign Aid to the Media in Belarus and Ukraine

The paper offers an analysis of media assistance, as a specific form foreign aid, that Poland to strengthen development in Belarus and Ukraine. It shows if tailors assistance according the local context existing challenges for democratic changes recipient countries’ systems. study builds on literature concerning media, democratization, particular looking at both aid public diplomacy. reveals Poland’s approaches Ukraine do differ: mainly provides autocratic with technical support established outside country, while clearly focusing capacity democratizing findings show Polish however, is unlikely boost freedom usually expected outcome under-financed case