26 March 2026 (Thursday), 18:00
Place: main hall of the museum
Meeting in Polish
Free admission, no registration
Let us know in the comments if you plan to join us. Or tag someone you want to tell about this.
Hate speech, clickbait, fake news — what happened to the language we could once just use to talk?
Can we still listen to one another, or do we only scroll, like, comment? The language of politics and the media is becoming increasingly polarized, loud and full of simplifications. During the discussion we will talk about how words have lost meaning and what can be done about it. Is it still possible to rebuild a culture of conversation that unites rather than divides?
We will address topics such as:
- the brutalization of language, clickbait headlines and words that have lost their meaning
- the role of the media and responsibility for the word
- the use of language in nationalist narratives
- the role and threats of fake news and AI (artificial intelligence)
Come. Listen. Take part in the discussion!
Panelists:
- Edwin Bendyk — a journalist and publicist dealing with civilizational issues and the impact of technology on social life. He was associated with the weekly “Polityka”, where he was a columnist in the science section. He focuses on modernization, ecology and the digital revolution. Lecturer at Collegium Civitas and at the Centre for Social Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Member of the board of the Nowoczesna Polska Foundation and the program council of the Green Institute; in 2020 he was elected chairman of the Stefan Batory Foundation.
- Anna Materska-Sosnowska — political scientist, PhD in humanities, assistant professor at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw. Specialist in party systems, political institutions and electoral systems. Commentator on political life, leader of the Batory Foundation, originator of the Paweł Adamowicz Civic Leadership Program of the Civic Studies.
- Dagmara Mańka-Wizor — has worked at the POLIN Museum for over 13 years; guide, trainer and educator, head of the Anti-Discrimination Programs Section, with a particular focus on anti-discrimination training. She tries to incorporate Jewish values and texts into her educational activities.
Host:
- Anna Wacławik — graduate of the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Warsaw. Since 2008 a journalist at Radio TOK FM. Two-time winner of the Grand Press award in the 'Interview' category, winner of the Mistrz Mowy Polskiej competition, finalist of the Stars of Charity plebiscite. Author of programs on social topics, art and in-depth interviews and books, including the biography of Ludwik Fleck ('Fleck. Saved by science', 2025) written together with Prof. Maria Ciesielska. In 2022–2023 a Radio TOK FM envoy to Ukraine. Expert of the Paweł Smoleński Foundation “Face to Face”. Lecturer at the Department of Journalism and Social Communication at SWPS University.
