Warning of fake news ahead of elections in Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki
15.05.2019 10:00
Internet users may be vulnerable to fake news and disinformation in the run-up to elections in Poland this year, an official has warned.
Stanisław Żaryn
Stanisław Żaryn, spokesman for Poland’s security services chief, said that attempts to spread fake news were likely to intensify in the country as European elections approach, followed by a national parliamentary vote in the autumn.
As voters form their opinions at a time of election campaigns, it is possible to expect that attempts will be made to destabilise public debate in the country, Żaryn said in an opinion piece published by Poland’s Rzeczpospolita newspaper.
Żaryn writes in the opinion piece that fake news and disinformation are a factor affecting internal security and stability.
He argues that Russia has in recent years been known to use “aggressive subliminal methods” in an attempt to influence political decisions in Western countries.
He warns that internet users in Poland should pay special attention to content they see posted online in the coming months.
Staying alert and being able to identify false information spread through websites and social media will make it possible to neutralise threats, Żaryn says in his piece, entitled "A dangerous year on the web" and posted on the rp.pl website.
European Parliament elections are scheduled in Poland for May 26.
(gs/pk)
Source: rp.pl