In 2025, Europe faces one of the most serious challenges of the 21st century – an epistemological crisis that threatens the foundations of democracy. At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, world leaders identified disinformation as the greatest short-term global threat, even ahead of armed conflicts and natural disasters. This alarming warning is not just a theoretical consideration – it has real consequences, especially in countries like Poland that are on the front lines of geopolitical tensions.
Poland — a target of Russian disinformation
Poland, as a country bordering Ukraine and actively supporting its independence, has become one of the main targets of Russian disinformation campaigns. According to EUvsDisinfo Lab data, there have been almost 1,500 cases of organized disinformation activities targeting Poland over the past decade. The scale of these activities has increased significantly ahead of the 2025 presidential elections. Operations such as “Doppelganger” have used fake websites posing as well-known media outlets to spread pro-Russian narratives and undermine trust in state institutions.
Institutional Response: Protective Umbrella and DSA
In response to these threats, the Polish government launched the “Protective Umbrella” program, which includes three pillars: monitoring disinformation, strengthening cybersecurity, and public education. In parallel, the European Union implemented the Digital Services Act (DSA), a groundbreaking regulation that requires online platforms to remove illegal content and counter disinformation, while respecting freedom of speech.
The DSA allows citizens to report harmful content, and platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube are required to be transparent about content moderation. In 2025, the DSA also included a Code of Practice on Disinformation, which became a reference point for assessing platforms’ compliance with the new rules.
The right to be forgotten
At the social level, grassroots initiatives are also emerging. One of them is the proposal of Robert Szustkowski, a Polish entrepreneur and activist, who proposed extending the EU’s “right to be forgotten” to the media. His goal is to recognize editorial offices as controllers of personal data, which would allow citizens to more effectively remove false or harmful information about them.
Szustkowski, citing his own experiences with media “lynching,” argues that the current regulations do not provide sufficient protection for an individual’s reputation. His proposal includes, among other things, the creation of a register of violations of personal rights and the appointment of a Readers’ Rights Ombudsman, who would support citizens in the fight against disinformation.
Education as a shield against manipulation
While legal regulations and institutional actions are essential, experts emphasize that civic education plays a key role in combating disinformation. In 2020, a Eurobarometer survey showed that 71% of Europeans regularly encounter fake news, and most of them consider it a serious threat to democracy.