Agreements between Polish and Chinese media groups expose Polish audiences to propaganda
In 2018, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) partnered with the China Economic Information Service, a content provider under the umbrella of the state-directed Xinhua news agency. PAP and the Center for Poland-Asia Studies each signed cooperation agreements during the Belt & Road Economic and Financial Information Partnership ceremony, which highlights that, to some extent, the media collaboration is tied to the geopolitical and propaganda aims of the Chinese infrastructure effort. In 2017, Polish public broadcaster TVP had signed agreements with multiple Chinese entities, including Chengdu Radio and Television as well as the Hubei Media Group, for increased cooperation and “content exchange,” among other services. None of these agreements explained how, if at all, Polish outlets would identify Chinese content to their audience. This means that Polish viewers could unknowingly be exposed to Chinese propaganda broadcast via the local media they trust.

About This Incident

Threat Actors: China

Incident Metadata

Date: 2017-2018
Country: Poland