Polish leaders push internet censorship amid wave of school knife attacks
The government plans to use recent school stabbing incidents to justify new internet censorship measures, according to critics.
In the wake of multiple knife attacks at Polish schools, which resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries, law enforcement detained dozens of suspects nationwide. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski contend that the heightened anxiety provides a timely opening to introduce broader internet censorship aimed at protecting children. Opponents, including the legal group Ordo Iuris, claim the proposal repurposes existing anti-terrorism legislation and EU Regulation 2021/784 to silence government critics.
They also highlight recent initiatives such as the Centre for Combating Disinformation and vague “disinformation” statutes that could be used against dissenting voices. The debate intensifies as President Karol Nawrocki has already vetoed a related censorship bill, while several members of the ruling Law and Justice party abstained from voting on it.
Why it matters
It shows how security crises can be leveraged to expand state control over online speech.
How this story developed
- Oct 10 Three injured in Warsaw college assault as Poland intensifies school security checks
- Oct 10 Authorities identified the venue as an adult education centre in Warsaw’s Praga district and noted a staff member disarmed the attacker.
- Oct 11 Polish authorities activated a security operation after police received information about a possible attack targeting Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
- Oct 11 Authorities disclosed that the threat was treated as highly serious and held an emergency anti‑terror briefing.
- Oct 11 Police arrested a man in Lower Silesia suspected of being linked to a plot against Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz.
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