SOCIO-POLITICAL IMPACT OF DISINFORMATION DURING THE 2024 FLOODS IN POLAND

<ns3:p>In addition to the catastrophic effects on the environment, infrastructure and the population, the2024 flood in Poland demonstrated additional means of pressure characteristic of hybrid warfare,unprecedented in this type of threat. At issue is false information spread through social media andprivate messaging platforms, triggering social unrest and division. It is social media platforms, withtheir structure for instantaneous sharing of news, that provide an exceptionally fertile environmentfor the spread of disinformation. The content was intended to undermine trust in public institutions,dividing local communities, and realistically affecting the undertaken rescue efforts.The aim of the research, the results of which are presented in the article, was to identify socio-politicaleffects of disinformation during the flood in question. The article attempts to find how falseinformation and data manipulation influenced citizens’ attitudes, the actions of public institutions,and political decision-making during the crisis. In order to effectively comprehend the social andpolitical dynamics during this type of emergency, it was necessary to look at the role played bydisinformation in shaping attitudes and decisions during difficult times. The findings highlight therole of emotional triggers in amplifying disinformation and point to the need of developing mediaeducation, content verification tools and regulation to mitigate its effects during crises.</ns3:p>