Foreign Ministry Advisory Council Presents Recommendations on Countering International Disinformation

Poland’s Comprehensive Plan to Combat Disinformation Unveiled by Foreign Affairs Council

A council established by Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has released an extensive set of recommendations aimed at combating the growing threat of disinformation in the country’s information environment. The proposals, which represent a collaborative effort between social groups, academic institutions, industry representatives, and public administration officials, outline a multi-faceted approach to addressing what officials describe as an urgent national security concern.

The recommendations emphasize swift implementation of key European Union regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Artificial Intelligence Act, into Polish law. These frameworks are seen as essential tools that would provide both government authorities and civil society with more effective mechanisms to counter manipulation in the digital sphere.

Notably, the council calls for strengthening criminal law provisions regarding entities engaged in disinformation activities. The group acknowledges that most disinformation content currently remains legal under Polish law despite causing “real and long-term social damage.” Any legislative changes, the council stresses, must be crafted with full respect for freedom of speech to avoid reinforcing narratives about alleged censorship.

Central to the proposal is the development of a comprehensive national strategy to counter international disinformation. The council recommends that the Interministerial Group for Counteracting Foreign Information Interference and Manipulation take urgent action to adopt such a strategy, which would identify primary sources and techniques of foreign disinformation, catalog necessary countermeasures, and potentially establish an independent unit within the Prime Minister’s Chancellery to coordinate these efforts.

Media support features prominently in the recommendations, with the council advocating for increased financial backing for independent and pluralist media outlets through funds and grants. This approach, which mirrors solutions adopted in countries like Estonia and France, aims to promote reliable information and enhance public debate transparency.

The council also emphasizes the critical role of very large online platforms (VLOPs) in fighting disinformation. Beyond legal enforcement through the DSA, the recommendations call for ensuring these platforms fulfill their commitments under the EU Code of Conduct on Disinformation, including eliminating revenue from advertisements on misleading accounts and websites.

Recognizing the valuable contributions of non-governmental organizations in countering disinformation, the council recommends increased government support for civil society initiatives focused on prebunking, fact-checking, and monitoring disinformation. This includes developing a comprehensive report on the needs of these organizations regarding expert networks, technical infrastructure, and know-how.

Educational initiatives feature prominently in the recommendations, with proposals to incorporate critical thinking skills and media literacy education into school curricula from preschool through secondary education. Teacher training programs would also include components on countering disinformation, with adequate funding allocated for these purposes.

The council places significant emphasis on international cooperation, particularly with NATO and the EU, while remaining open to collaboration with other partners. This reflects the cross-border nature of disinformation threats and the need for coordinated responses.

Tomasz Chłoń, from Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chairs the Council for Resilience, which includes representatives from various universities, foundations, research institutions, and business associations.

The comprehensive approach outlined in these recommendations reflects growing concern across Europe about the impact of coordinated disinformation campaigns on democratic processes, national security, and social cohesion. As Poland moves forward with implementing these proposals, the effectiveness of this multi-stakeholder approach will likely be closely watched by other nations facing similar challenges.