Poland launches school program to combat disinformation

Poland is introducing a nationwide school initiative that treats resistance to disinformation as a basic part of public safety.

The program is built around three educational formats. “What the FEJK TALKS” will combine lectures and film screenings with discussions about manipulation in the media. “What the FEJK CLASS” will take students through an exhibition on the history of propaganda and censorship in Polish cinema.

The practical “What the FEJK LAB” workshops will show students how editors can manipulate news reports. They will also examine how artificial intelligence can produce deepfake videos and cloned voices.

The project begins on September 17 and will continue until 2028. The National Film Culture Centre in central Łódź and the fact-checking organization Demagog Association are organizing it. Most of the funding will come from an 11.9 million zloty, or 2.74 million euro, grant from the Culture Ministry. Total project costs are expected to reach 13.13 million zloty, or 3 million euros.

Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska announced the initiative. She said younger generations live in a completely different information environment from their parents, making source verification an essential modern skill.