Polish association analyses internet use of 'Polish camp' phrase
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
26.10.2016 09:41
A Polish association has introduced a system which scours the internet for the use of the phrase “Polish death camp” in an attempt to limit its use.
Former Nazi German death camp in Auschwitz. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Polish League Against Defamation said that since 19 September, the tool has found over 200 uses of terms such as “Polish death camps”, “Polish SS”, and “Polish ghetto” in several languages, including English and German.
Infamous concentration camps such as Auschwitz Birkenau and Majdanek were built and run by German Nazis in occupied Poland during WWII.
However, media across the world still erroneously use the terms.
During a press conference on Tuesday, League Chairman Maciej Świrski said that the use of such phrases by newspapers, magazines, politicians and public figures is well known.
“This system will scour the internet looking for any abuse”, he said, adding that this will be far more effective than a dozen volunteers doing the work manually.
The system will also compile a database of people who use such phrases, Świrski said, adding that this will allow analysis of whether they are deliberately defaming Poland.
Polish Prosecutor General and Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro previously announced that Poland will take legal steps against the use of such phrases, with possible jail time for people defaming the country. (rg/pk)