A prime feature of the Sejm sittings is that they are open to the public, a trait expressed both in the Constitution and in the rules of procedure of the Sejm. In a detailed description of minimum guarantees for the public nature of the debate, the rules of procedure list the obligation to inform public opinion about the date of the sitting, to provide an opportunity for the media (the press and television) to prepare a report of the debates, and to enable the public to observe the sittings from the gallery. Additional mention should be made of the preparation of minutes and a shorthand report.

The rules of procedure attach great importance to the meaning of words and the responsibility for words used during the debate, closely linked to the oral nature of the sittings. Suitable organs of the State, institutions and organisations have been obliged to closely examine the motions and remarks put forward by the Deputies during the sittings.

Although the statements of the Deputies may be - and often are - prepared by other subjects, their actual presentation by a Deputy obligates the State organs to react in a prescribed manner. Such an obligation is provided for by the Standing Orders of the Sejm.

In his capacity as a person chairing the debates, the Marshal of the Sejm is equipped with numerous instruments for ensuring the effectiveness and dignity of the debate. The Standing Orders foresee a progressive application of disciplinary measures which may be taken against an unruly speaker as well as any Deputy participating in the sitting. In the most extreme situations the Marshal (or the presiding Vicemarshal) can decide to exclude a Deputy from the sitting. The excluded Deputy has the right to appeal against such a decision to the Presidium of the Sejm. The instruments of maintaining order in the Chamber can be applied solely to Deputies. As regards other persons present during the sitting, the Marshal is concerned with the observation of "dignity and order in the place of the debate".

The Marshal of the Sejm has the right (up to the moment the report is released for printing) to delete from the shorthand report expressions which "insult the dignity of the Sejm" or are "incompatible with the Deputy oath". The aforementioned right of the Marshal is mainly aimed at expressing his disapproval of views or actions presented during the debate rather than at limiting the publicity about this type of behaviour.