Poland will introduce a nationwide media literacy program aimed at teaching young people how to identify misinformation, manipulation and AI-generated deepfakes, according to broadcaster TVP World.
The initiative, which begins on September 17, will target students between the ages of 10 and 19 and is expected to continue through 2028. Its total cost is estimated at €3 million ($3.4 million), with most of the funding provided by Poland’s Culture Ministry.
Students will be taught how to assess the reliability of information, verify sources and recognise techniques used to manipulate news and other media content.
“Checking sources, recognizing manipulation, understanding context and consciously engaging with media are becoming essential skills for functioning in today’s world,” Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska said, according to Polish state news agency PAP.
The program will combine theoretical instruction with practical exercises. Planned activities include lectures, film screenings and workshops examining misinformation and media manipulation, including challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated AI-generated content.
Students will also study the historical development of propaganda and censorship in Polish cinema, providing a broader context for understanding how media have been used to shape public opinion.
The initiative comes as governments and education systems increasingly grapple with the spread of manipulated digital content and the growing accessibility of generative AI tools capable of producing convincing fabricated images, audio and video.
Polish authorities hope the program will equip students with the critical skills needed to evaluate information independently and navigate an increasingly complex digital media environment.