Olszewski said many disinformation narratives were persistent and ongoing, particularly those originating in Russia.
Disinformation cannot be eliminated completely, but its negative effects can be limited, particularly when national security is at stake, Olszewski told the media.
Debunking and prebunking
"We must develop common mechanisms for offensive action, rather than simply responding to emerging disinformation narratives, because some of them, mainly those originating in Russia, are persistent and ongoing," Olszewski said, highlighting the need for prebunking efforts, rather than relying solely on debunking.
He said the first step should be to reliably verify whether a reported event actually occurred.
"This is particularly difficult because there is nothing worse than a state institution passing on unverified information," he said.
Olszewski also said his centre was "conducting dialogue" with social media platforms to tackle disinformation.
He cited data showing that social media platforms removed just 6.7 percent of the 65,000 pieces of reported disinformation in the first half of this year.
Olszewski said disinformation required action at the EU level.
"No country on its own will solve this problem," he said, adding that social media platforms would be more willing to engage in dialogue with a strong partner such as the European Union.
Magdalena Wilczyńska, a senior executive at Poland's NASK cybersecurity agency, highlighted waves of anti-Ukrainian disinformation in Poland's information space.
She said such narratives have been visible since 2014 and have increasingly entered public debate.
"Anti-Ukrainian disinformation does not spread only on X or Facebook, but also in ordinary family conversations and when people talk at work," Wilczyńska said.
The government's Centre for Combating Disinformation was launched on September 29 and held its first meeting on October 21.
The centre is tasked with producing and publishing reports on identified disinformation activities. It also plans to launch a website called StopDezinfo, where it will address the most widespread disinformation narratives.
The centre will also provide information and recommendations to public administration on preventing and countering disinformation.
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Source: PAP
Click on the audio player above for an interview with Magdalena Wilczyńska.