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Who Owns Onet? Ownership, Political Bias, and Editorial Standards

3 min read
Last Updated: January 2026

Onet Overview and Political Bias

Onet is often described by critics as maintaining a liberal, pro-European stance. Conservative figures in Poland have alleged that its foreign ownership influences its editorial direction to favor non-Polish interests. While the portal asserts its independence, some observers suggest its presentation can lean toward sensationalism to capture mass-market attention.

Standpoint Assessment
Overall political leaning Center Left
Estimated number of readers 17,500,000
Israel support Mainstream / Neutral
Use of loaded / emotional language Medium
Target Audience Mass market

Onet History

Launched in 1996 by the computer company Optimus, Onet.pl evolved from a simple web directory into Poland's leading digital news portal. It was later acquired by the ITI Group before the 2012 partnership with Ringier Axel Springer. Today, it serves as a central hub for news, lifestyle, and video.

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Who owns Onet?

Onet is owned by Ringier Axel Springer Polska, a prominent joint venture between the Swiss Ringier AG and the German Axel Springer SE. This corporate structure has occasionally been a point of contention in Polish political discourse regarding foreign media influence. Funding is derived from advertising and premium digital subscriptions.

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