Acta Politica Polonica

The aim of the article was to analyze the media discourse of the portal wPolityce.pl concerning the refugee crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border in summer and autumn of 2021. An inductive thematic analysis of the collected material was used, distinguishing eight thematic threads, and then analyzing the media discourse. In its course, it was concluded that the situation near the Polish-Belarusian border is a manifestation of a hybrid war against Poland. On the side of the Republic of Poland’s attackers there is not only the regime of Alexander Lukashenka, but also people, political parties and organizations having critical attitude to the United Right’s rule. For political purposes, due to the aversion to the rulers of Poland, they are to fit into the scenario of the Belarusian dictator and directly and indirectly harm the Polish state. An attempt was also made to interpret what emotions and attitudes the published texts may evoke in the recipients. The rhetoric used may arouse aversion and anger towards parties with a minority in parliament, and on the other hand, a belief that the government’s actions and its supporters are absolutely right. With regard to people camping on the border, the recipients of the portal may feel fear, a sense of threat and the belief that the Belarusian authorities want to impose something unacceptable on Poland and thus create a threat. The readers of the portal may also notice lack of trust and aversion to media that is unfavorable to the government, presented as unreliable or providing false or unverified information. In turn, the government and the parties forming the United Right are presented as guardians of the Polish interest and national safety. Therefore, elements of the nationalist discourse were identified.