The term “filter bubble” originally described how information is selected on the Internet, especially on social media. In 2011, Eli Pariser highlighted this phenomenon as a threat to democracy and public discourse. Human nature tends to prefer comfort over discomfort, so online platforms, guided by algorithms, tend to present content and viewpoints that reinforce our existing beliefs. This dynamic can insulate people from ideas that challenge their world view, making them less nervous about new information and more content with familiar reflections.
The bubbles are growing
Yet in the orbit of large media groups, shaping information bubbles has turned into a repeated political tactic. Today, the term no longer just refers to internet algorithms delivering tailored content. In line with the interests of powerful corporations on one side and political actors on the other, we are seeing not merely information bubbles but entire networks of ideas designed to mold and persuade audiences, be they consumers or voters. For example, Russian messaging has trained many residents to associate the word “American” with distrust and hostility, making it easier to push broader anti-U.S. narratives with little effort.
Bubbles more and less harmful
The tendency to form “information bubbles” arises from human psychology, research, and the effectiveness of messaging. Some bubbles are more harmful than others. The British, convinced Brexit would bring them clear advantages, may fare differently from Poles whose national defenses have been weakened through devaluation and contested military narratives. Consider a widespread disinformation effort that mocked border controls and attitudes at the Polish-Belarusian front, which helped escalate pressure from the Lukashenko regime and triggered new waves of illegal crossings into Poland.
Who does not pass on information about threats
There are claims that trained agents from Moscow and Minsk mingle among immigrants, that newcomers often misrepresent their motives, and that strict enforcement toward those who break border rules is common across Europe. When it’s joked that TVP is biased for not airing details of how TVN uncovered the “sausage scandal” in hot dogs sold by Orlen, one could note that a left-liberal information bubble overlooking national sovereignty may have more serious blind spots.
Discussions about forced displacement of migrants, with fines standing as an alternative for some, are common in Germany, Brussels, and much of the EU mainstream, yet audiences within liberal-leaning bubbles may miss unfolding changes to migration agreements across the continent.
Similarly, Germany’s broad set of interests can clash with Polish priorities and those tensions are expressed through politics and journalism in Poland, contributing to heated reactions that seem illogical to some voters. Years of German investment in Russia, Berlin’s stance on NATO standards, and currency issues tied to the euro are often denied or minimized, only to later appear as visible factors shaping regional dynamics.
Information section
Still, as people perceive the world through the lenses of belonging and belonging to an in-group, political actors with a strong narrative may emerge that many readers find absolutely persuasive. It’s possible to discuss various ideological stances and European discussions about solidarity on immigration, but reception varies widely. When confronted with provocative labels or insinuations, some audiences respond with skepticism or outright hostility. The scale of fanaticism can be so intense that warnings about fires or potential attacks are sometimes treated as political jokes rather than urgent alerts for civilians.
Supporters of liberal information ecosystems argue that Europe is moving toward greater happiness, eco-energy, democracy, and equality, yet internal contradictions, elite weaknesses, behind-the-scenes politics, and hidden interests are often overlooked. Critics contend that conservatives in Poland, Italy, or Spain can become targets of broader narratives that cast opponents as puppets of larger powers, sometimes framed as antagonists in a grand European project.
In short, there is little cure for this mental state, and it can be hard to mobilize enough shared support to halt the spread of misinformation. The practical response often becomes building and strengthening conservative and national media despite financial advantages wielded by foreign players and political correctness that supporters view as a constraint on free expression. Contemporary right-leaning media, outlets, and publishing are seen by some as an essential resource in a country facing external pressures near its borders.
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Note: This discussion reflects ongoing public discourse and is intended to provide context for how information ecosystems can influence perception and policy.