**The phenomenon of pro-Russian channels on Telegram is raising concerns about disinformation and its effects on public opinion in Poland.**
**Poland Faces Pro-Russian Propaganda Surge on Telegram**
**Poland Faces Pro-Russian Propaganda Surge on Telegram**
**Analysis reveals the emergence of pro-Kremlin channels misleading Polish audiences**
In a secluded forest, two men set up a symbolically charged display, sporting makeshift military attire while igniting a US flag and depictions of prominent American figures. This provocative act, captured on video, was shared widely on a Polish-language Telegram channel called Polska Grupa Informacyjna. However, experts reveal that this footage is staged, with the actors featuring poorly pronounced Ukrainian, suggesting a strong Russian undertone.
Telegram is not typically popular in Poland, yet researchers have uncovered at least 22 channels, collectively amassing around 150,000 subscribers, that disseminate various forms of pro-Russian narratives and disinformation. They pose as reliable news outlets, with slogans promising impartiality while replicating content from banned Russian state media such as RT and Sputnik, renowned for their propaganda techniques.
Among the spread of misinformation, one disturbing trend sees these channels labeling Ukrainian military personnel and leaders with derogatory terms like "Nazis" and fabricating narratives undermining the documented atrocities of war, such as the tragedies that befell the victims of Bucha. Some channels also downplay the severity of Russian aggression, often framing it as necessary defensive action against alleged provocations from Ukraine.
Since the onset of Russia's invasion, these Telegram platforms have become pivotal in promoting narratives that aim to sway public perception in Poland, often intertwining appeal for support of Russian narratives with the synchronization of posts to Moscow’s working hours. This calculated operation has experts worried about the implications it holds for Polish-Ukrainian relations and the support for refugees from Ukraine—a community that has already faced scrutiny amidst rising anti-Ukrainian sentiments fueled by propaganda.
Poland, an essential ally of Ukraine, has seen an influx of Ukrainian refugees and has stood firmly against Russian aggression; however, the persistence of these disinformation campaigns threatens to destabilize public support and foster division. As experts highlight the potential for disinformation to exacerbate existing fears among the Polish populace regarding economic conditions and cultural tensions, the need for vigilance against such narratives becomes paramount.
The channels behind this disinformation web often remain anonymous, connected instead by their dissemination of narratives that align conspicuously with Kremlin ideologies. While Poland fortifies its stance against misinformation through local fact-checking initiatives, the impact of these channels continues to resonate, intertwining truth and fabrication in a battle for public opinion.
To address these challenges, the BBC has launched a new Polish-language service aimed at providing trustworthy journalism and countering the spread of disinformation in Polish-speaking communities. As the struggle against false narratives intensifies, maintaining a clear and credible flow of information is more critical than ever.
Telegram is not typically popular in Poland, yet researchers have uncovered at least 22 channels, collectively amassing around 150,000 subscribers, that disseminate various forms of pro-Russian narratives and disinformation. They pose as reliable news outlets, with slogans promising impartiality while replicating content from banned Russian state media such as RT and Sputnik, renowned for their propaganda techniques.
Among the spread of misinformation, one disturbing trend sees these channels labeling Ukrainian military personnel and leaders with derogatory terms like "Nazis" and fabricating narratives undermining the documented atrocities of war, such as the tragedies that befell the victims of Bucha. Some channels also downplay the severity of Russian aggression, often framing it as necessary defensive action against alleged provocations from Ukraine.
Since the onset of Russia's invasion, these Telegram platforms have become pivotal in promoting narratives that aim to sway public perception in Poland, often intertwining appeal for support of Russian narratives with the synchronization of posts to Moscow’s working hours. This calculated operation has experts worried about the implications it holds for Polish-Ukrainian relations and the support for refugees from Ukraine—a community that has already faced scrutiny amidst rising anti-Ukrainian sentiments fueled by propaganda.
Poland, an essential ally of Ukraine, has seen an influx of Ukrainian refugees and has stood firmly against Russian aggression; however, the persistence of these disinformation campaigns threatens to destabilize public support and foster division. As experts highlight the potential for disinformation to exacerbate existing fears among the Polish populace regarding economic conditions and cultural tensions, the need for vigilance against such narratives becomes paramount.
The channels behind this disinformation web often remain anonymous, connected instead by their dissemination of narratives that align conspicuously with Kremlin ideologies. While Poland fortifies its stance against misinformation through local fact-checking initiatives, the impact of these channels continues to resonate, intertwining truth and fabrication in a battle for public opinion.
To address these challenges, the BBC has launched a new Polish-language service aimed at providing trustworthy journalism and countering the spread of disinformation in Polish-speaking communities. As the struggle against false narratives intensifies, maintaining a clear and credible flow of information is more critical than ever.
