Kampania wyborcza na Ukrainie w 2019 roku – przykład wywoływania skandalu w mediach jako narzędzia propagandy politycznej

Abstract Scandal is an action, or an event considered immoral or legally non-applicable causing widespread public outrage. Scandal is covered by media being widely discussed in society. There are areas easily accessible as for the content of a scandal, those are primarily sexual, financial, and relating to the sphere of power. Scandal is present in democratic system and plays a crucial role in it. It can create or destroy political image, help to keep a good name, reputation which politicians have among voters, and which constitutes a legitimacy to exercise power. In the context of political scandal, there is an important aspect of it – Investigative journalism. Scandal plays a very important role on the political scene. There are methods in political marketing used to extinguish political scandals: from ignoring it to information warfare. A well-chosen way to extinguish a scandal by political advisers and the candidate’s team is vital. The political image of presidential candidates and public figures in general depends on it. The latest presidential election in Ukraine held on March 31, 2019 was unprecedented, mainly due to the way the election campaign was conducted and because of its results. Comedian, film producer Volodymyr Zelensky became the 6th Ukrainian President amassing the historically highest voters support – 73,22%. For the first time in Ukraine, in the age of the Internet and advanced communication technologies, the election campaign of Volodymyr Zelensky took advantage of social media possibilities, provoking a sharp discussion in society and involving both opponents and supporters of Petro Poroshenko into it, changing Ukraine's current political course.The 2019 elections in Ukraine are characterized by a large number of political scandals. Those evoked emotions in the society; additionally, they influenced election results and were tools of political manipulation. Effectively, series of journalistic investigations influenced presidential candidate rankings