Polish Envoy Warns Disinformation Undermines Diplomacy, Stresses Media’s ‘Irreplaceable Role’ in Promoting Truth for Stronger Nigeria-Poland Ties

The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Nigeria, H.E. Michal Cygan underscored the indispensable role of the media in combating digital falsehoods, asserting that the spread of disinformation and fake news poses a significant threat to global cooperation and bilateral relations.

The Ambassador made the remarks during a high-level roundtable discussion themed “Bridging Perception Gaps: Combating Misinformation, Disinformation, and Fake News for Stronger Nigeria-Poland Relations.” The event was co-convened by the Polish Embassy and the Female Journalist Network Nigeria on Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Abuja.

Ambassador Cygan highlighted that in the current era of rapid, often unchecked digital information flows, misinformation is not merely a social nuisance but a potent tool used to undermine public trust, distort diplomatic perceptions, and weaken international partnerships. He stressed that ethical and fact-checked journalism is the frontline defense against these deliberate information campaigns.

The roundtable, which featured other key voices including the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Ndace, focused on developing actionable recommendations for policymakers and media stakeholders. Participants emphasized the urgent need for journalists to reinforce media integrity and fact-checking practices. The commitment to collaborative media initiatives was put forward as a necessary measure to foster mutual understanding and ensure that diplomatic efforts between Nigeria and Poland are based on accurate and reliable information, not malicious narratives. The Ambassador’s statement aligns with Poland’s broader foreign policy, which has seen the country actively join global initiatives, such as the Global Declaration on Information Integrity Online, to build societal resilience against foreign information manipulation.