The discourse of fear: a case study of misinformation in Polish online health-related texts

Ewa Konieczna

doi:10.15584/slowo.2025.16.16

Authors

Ewa Konieczna Uniwersytet Rzeszowski https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7621-1168

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15584/slowo.2025.16.16

Keywords:

argumentation, fallacy, manipulation, emotions, discursive strategies

Abstract

This paper examines the discourse of fear in Polish online health-related texts, focusing on misinformation strategies used to shape public perceptions of health and medical procedures. Drawing on critical discourse analysis approach, the study explores how fear is constructed through discursive strategies, such as, argumentation through fallacies and demonstrates how these strategies contribute to the spread of health misinformation.

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