How would you describe the mission and expertise of your organization in the field of media literacy/ critical thinking/ fact checking/ countering disinformation?
We run a fact-checking community on Facebook called Keyboard Worriers (Wojownicy Klawiatury) that focuses on European affairs. Moreover, with our partners we have developed and implemented classes for younger citizens to help them better understand how disinformation works. The Foundation also publishes reports on disinformation during electoral campaigns in Poland.
What are the main resources developed by your organization you’d be willing to share?
We would be happy to provide access to selected organizations and individuals to the Wojownicy Klawiatury group. The Foundation would also be able to share scripts for classes on disinformation, as well as the results of our reports on disinformation during electoral campaigns in Poland. Please contact us at [email protected].
Which are, in your opinion, the three biggest current challenges related to countering disinformation in your country?
- Lack of legal framework that would define the responsibilities of online platforms.
- Political and societal polarization that makes it difficult to overcome gaps between people even when facts are clear.
- Lack of legal framework and administrative capabilities for authorities to control political parties’ social media spending.
Could you name three solutions that you implemented or else want to recommend as an advice how to counter disinformation, strengthen societies’ critical thinking skills and build civil resilience to disinformation?
Disinformation is clearly linked to polarization. Therefore promoting facts requires building trust to overcome polarization. This can be done by building a community around a fact-checking initiative or/and by unveiling information about the sources of disinformation that clearly shows their political or economic interest. The story behind the story is often more effective than deconstructing fake-news.
What are the top three events or dates you have witnessed this year that have caused an intensification of disinformation activities?
COVID-19 pandemic and presidential elections in Poland.
In your opinion, which future three dates/events are likely to bring about the intensification of disinformation activities in 2020-2021?
The US elections.
What are the prevailing disinformation narratives you have observed in the media space this year.
A number of populistic politicians in Poland and in Europe have used the COVID pandemic to undermine trust in the EU and blame the EU so as to achieve short-term political gains.
Have you been relying on any fact-checking tools? If yes, please describe them or share the links.
Making The Truth Stick and The Myths Fade: Lessons from Cognitive Psychology
Botometer https://botometer.osome.iu.edu/
Social Observatory for Disinformation and Social Media Analysis (SOMA) https://www.disinfobservatory.org
Find a troll https://znajdztrolla.info/
Would you like to highlight any of the disinformation cases you have witnessed/ discovered/ debunked?
We are especially proud of the report on disinformation and propaganda about the EU during the pandemic. The report is available here: https://geremek.pl/index.php?id=1106
In your opinion, who are the best performing actors – in your country, as well as in the EU – playing crucial roles in the field of media literacy today and why?
Commissioner Vera Jourova has a fine understanding of the issue and seems to be willing to push online platforms to better define their responsibility. In Poland I enjoy the work done by Demagog (demagog.org.pl) and Fundacja ePaństwo (epf.org.pl).
IGNACY NIEMCZYCKI
Chairman of the management board
The Bronislaw Geremek Foundation
Togetherness, values-based, openness
