A senior Polish diplomatic official has publicly accused Turkey and institutions operating in the northern part of Cyprus of orchestrating a sophisticated disinformation and propaganda campaign aimed at destabilizing the Republic of Cyprus. The allegations, presented during a private briefing for journalists in Nicosia, frame social media manipulation as a potent instrument in the long-standing geopolitical dispute over the divided Mediterranean island.
The remarks were delivered at a working luncheon organized by the Polish Embassy, focusing on the pervasive challenges of misinformation. The official, whose identity was not disclosed in the subsequent report by the Cyprus News Agency, contended that the campaigns are meticulously designed to sow discord. The purported objectives are multifaceted: to instill fear and suspicion among the Cypriot populace, erode the nation’s standing in the region, fracture internal societal trust, and skew international diplomatic perceptions. A particular aim, according to the presentation, is to foster recognition of Turkey’s presence in the north, which is recognized only by Ankara.
Operationally, the effort is said to be concentrated on social media platforms, exploiting a documented vulnerability. The diplomat cited a recent survey indicating that over seventy percent of Cypriots primarily consume news through social media, a significantly higher proportion than in Poland. This heavy reliance, the official suggested, creates a fertile ground for influence operations. Specific examples highlighted included the propagation of anti-migrant sentiment intertwined with narratives hostile to Greek Orthodox culture, alongside the dissemination of misleading content regarding the conflict in Ukraine, particularly surrounding sanctions and geopolitical allegiances.
A recurrent tactic identified was the strategic portrayal of the Cypriot government as a puppet of external powers. "They try to describe the Republic of Cyprus as a state which relies on external forces," the official stated, underscoring a narrative aimed at undermining national sovereignty. The Polish representative contextualized these allegations by referencing Poland's own encounters with orchestrated digital falsehoods, such as those following recent security incidents, drawing a parallel to what was characterized as a shared European challenge.
These accusations inject a new, digital dimension into the decades-old Cyprus problem. They suggest that beyond traditional diplomatic and military posturing, a shadow war for public opinion is being waged online. The implications are significant for European Union security policy, as a member state is alleged to be the target of a disinformation campaign by a NATO ally. While Turkey has historically rejected similar accusations, the public framing of the issue by a European diplomat points to escalating concerns within EU circles about hybrid threats. The situation underscores the growing imperative for media literacy and robust fact-checking mechanisms in societies where digital platforms dominate the information landscape.