hu.euronews.com
Disinformation Campaign Targets Polish Presidential Election
During Poland's presidential election, disinformation campaigns used social media to spread false narratives, employing tactics like information overload and impersonating media outlets, targeting voters aged 30-65 and potentially linked to a Singapore-based entity, 'Score News', allegedly funded by 'Transfer Sorrento'.
- What were the primary methods and targets of the disinformation campaign during the Polish presidential election?
- During Poland's recent presidential election, disinformation campaigns aimed to manipulate the outcome by discrediting one candidate and promoting another, creating informational chaos. These campaigns also engaged in data and phishing scams, using images of candidates Rafal Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki. According to Demagog.org, disinformation messages targeting Poles aged 30-65 remained active in the final week before the second round.
- How did the disinformation campaign leverage social media platforms to spread false narratives and manipulate public opinion?
- The disinformation, spread mainly via social media, employed two key tactics: information overload to create chaos, and 'Doppelganger' operations impersonating reputable media outlets like Euronews. Funding for some campaigns, such as those by the 'Score News' profile, allegedly originated from a company called 'Transfer Sorrento', whose origins remain largely unknown, hindering investigations.
- What are the systemic vulnerabilities in Poland and broader regions that make them susceptible to such foreign disinformation campaigns, and what long-term solutions are necessary to combat this threat?
- The scale of the disinformation campaign, evidenced by some ads reaching tens of thousands, highlights vulnerabilities in the Polish information sphere. The similarity to recent Romanian elections, also heavily impacted by disinformation, suggests a broader pattern of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), where domestic actors are used to spread false narratives, particularly those related to the war in Ukraine, refugees, and the European Union. This pattern is particularly prevalent in the Balkans and former Soviet Union nations, according to research by the American University in Bulgaria.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the threat posed by disinformation and its impact on the election. While this is a legitimate concern, a more balanced approach might include a section on efforts to combat disinformation or the resilience of the electorate. The headline (if there was one) would also influence the framing.
Bias by Omission
The analysis lacks specific examples of omitted information, hindering a complete evaluation. While it mentions the lack of information about Transfer Sorrento, it doesn't detail other potential omissions that might skew the narrative. The focus is primarily on the spread of disinformation, but a deeper dive into what perspectives or facts might be missing to create a more balanced understanding would strengthen the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a clear false dichotomy, though the description of disinformation campaigns could be interpreted as implying a simplistic 'us vs. them' narrative. However, this is more of an inherent characteristic of disinformation itself rather than a deliberate framing within the article itself.
Sustainable Development Goals
The spread of disinformation and manipulation of information during elections undermines democratic processes, threatens the fairness and integrity of elections, and weakens trust in institutions. The article highlights how foreign actors interfere in the electoral process, using tactics like information overload and impersonating legitimate media outlets to sow confusion and discourage voter participation. This directly impacts the ability of citizens to exercise their right to participate in free and fair elections, a cornerstone of strong institutions and peaceful societies.