Poland Grapples with the Rising Tide of Disinformation: A Nation on High Alert
In an era defined by the rapid dissemination of information, the proliferation of false narratives online has emerged as a critical challenge for societies worldwide. A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals the extent of this concern, placing Poland among the most apprehensive nations regarding the threat of online disinformation. Eighty-five percent of Polish adults surveyed identified false information online as a major threat, exceeding the global median of 72% and underscoring the gravity of the situation within the country. This anxiety positions Poland alongside nations like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Korea, where disinformation is perceived as the most pressing concern among a range of surveyed issues.
The heightened awareness of disinformation in Poland is likely linked to several factors, including the country’s geopolitical context and the increasing sophistication of disinformation tactics. Situated on the border with Ukraine, Poland has been significantly impacted by Russia’s ongoing aggression, making it a prime target for disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the region and sowing discord. Moreover, the rise of artificial intelligence has made it increasingly easy to create realistic yet fabricated content, blurring the lines between truth and falsehood and amplifying the potential reach and impact of disinformation.
Experts and officials in Poland acknowledge the seriousness of the threat. Dariusz Jemielniak, vice president of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) and a professor at Kozmiński University in Warsaw, emphasizes the growing volume of disinformation while noting the diminishing resources allocated to counter it. This widening gap between the scale of the problem and the efforts to address it raises concerns about the ability to effectively combat the spread of false narratives. The rise of AI-generated synthetic content further exacerbates the challenge, making it more difficult to discern genuine information from manipulated or fabricated material.
The surge in concern about disinformation in Poland reflects a broader global trend. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Risks Report, misinformation and disinformation are ranked as the top short-term global risk for the second consecutive year. This ranking highlights the growing unease surrounding the potential for AI-driven content to manipulate public opinion and influence political discourse. The ease with which deepfakes and other forms of synthetic media can be created and disseminated poses a significant challenge to democratic processes and the integrity of public information.
Within Poland, the perception of the disinformation threat varies across demographic groups. Older adults (aged 50 and over) express greater concern about false information online compared to younger generations (18-34). Furthermore, supporters of right-wing populist parties tend to be less concerned about disinformation than those who do not support these parties. This difference in perception may stem from a distrust of mainstream institutions among some segments of the population, leading them to view accusations of disinformation as attempts to discredit information they find credible. This dynamic underlines the complexity of addressing disinformation, as perceptions of truth and falsehood can be influenced by pre-existing political and ideological leanings.
Looking ahead, experts anticipate a continued escalation in the volume of disinformation, coupled with more proactive countermeasures. As the tools for generating synthetic video and audio become more readily available and affordable, the potential for manipulation will likely increase, especially during times of crisis or heightened political activity. This necessitates a multi-pronged approach to combatting disinformation, involving collaboration between governments, technology companies, media organizations, and civil society. Efforts to improve media literacy, fact-checking initiatives, and regulations targeting the spread of harmful content will be crucial in mitigating the negative impacts of disinformation.
The political implications of disinformation are also a significant concern. Officials and activists in Poland have warned about the potential for social media platforms to shape worldviews and manipulate voters, particularly among younger demographics. The ability of these platforms to personalize content and target specific audiences raises questions about the extent to which they can influence political preferences and electoral outcomes. Addressing this challenge requires a nuanced understanding of the interplay between technology, information, and political behavior, and a commitment to ensuring the integrity of democratic processes in the digital age.
Polish officials recognize the ongoing nature of the battle against disinformation. Deputy Digital Affairs Minister Paweł Olszewski acknowledges the impossibility of eliminating disinformation entirely but emphasizes the importance of limiting its harmful effects. He highlights the role of foreign actors, particularly Russia and Belarus, in spreading false narratives that reach wide audiences. This underscores the need for international cooperation and the development of strategies to counter disinformation campaigns originating from outside national borders.
The challenge of addressing disinformation in Poland reflects a broader global struggle to navigate the complex information landscape of the 21st century. As technology continues to evolve, the means of creating and disseminating false information will become increasingly sophisticated, necessitating a continuous adaptation of strategies and approaches to counter this threat. The ability to distinguish between credible information and malicious falsehoods will be a critical skill for citizens and policymakers alike, and a collective effort involving governments, technology companies, media organizations, and individuals will be essential in safeguarding the integrity of public discourse and democratic processes.
