Dozens of media outlets in Poland are publishing a joint statement in defense of press freedom, following allegations of press control by the ruling nationalist, ultraconservative Law and Justice Party (PiS) ahead of parliamentary elections this fall.

It is alleged that the ruling party has turned state media into propaganda instruments since coming to power in 2015, while independent media are constantly under pressure.

“We declare that we will defend the independence of Polish journalism and that the editorial teams we lead will jointly and consistently inform the public about any attempt by the authorities to influence the media,” the text reads.

The joint statement comes after two new Polish portals, Onet and Wp.pl, alleged that government figures tried to pressure them.

Onet’s director wrote that a person with ties to the government suggested appointing to the website a deputy director whose responsibility would be to ensure that the government’s point of view was adequately represented.

The director of Wp.pl wrote that when the website started publishing investigations into PiS, a state-owned company offered to buy the media, and its director indicated to a board member which journalists should be hired and who should be fired.

The Polish government has not yet reacted to these statements as a member of the Polish government did not respond to a request for comment today.

However, when asked on Monday about Onet and Wp.pl’s complaints, government spokesman Piotr Müller said they lacked specifics.

“I am no longer surprised that some people make serious allegations without presenting further facts and circumstances,” said the spokesman for private radio network RMF FM, which also signed the joint statement.

Freedom of the press has repeatedly concerned Poland, as in the case of the foreign ownership law, which is believed to have been designed to silence Warner Bros Discovery-owned TVN24. Finally, the Polish president vetoed this bill.