Disinformation Trends : Infosecurity.sk
Infosecurity.sk: Bi-Weekly Report on Emerging Disinformation Trends from Slovakia
Project Infosecurity. organised by Adapt Institute, which is supported by the Prague office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, continuously monitors the activities of both Slovak and foreign disinformation actors but focuses mainly on the former. The project activities are built upon daily monitoring of emerging disinformation, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories in the online information space. This approach allows the analysts to identify disinformation posts and narratives that resonated with the public the most, as well as to find out where they originated and how they spread and evolved on social media. The report takes the form of a bi-weekly summary of arising trends in the spread of malicious information content online. Based on that, Infosecurity.sk can warn the public about emerging and current trends in the field of disinformation, manipulation, and propaganda.
News
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Fear of war and demonization of Brussels. Disinformation actors in Slovakia continue to polarize society
The second round of the presidential election was determined by voters mobilized by fear and uncertainty. The narratives of warmongering or serving the West, which were used in the anti-campaign to attack Ivan Korčok, gained not only intensity but also effectiveness in the days before the election. Furthermore, the approaching European elections open up space for further exploitation by disinformation actors.
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Ivan Korčok, European Union and RTVS. Disinformation actors in Slovakia continue to build an atmosphere of fear and hatred
The most problematic narratives emerged in relation to the first round of the presidential election. The main target of the disinformation ecosystem was the civic candidate Ivan Korčok. Furthermore, the far-right politicians are spreading disinformations about the climate change and the EU Migration pact as par of their campaign for the EP elections. Moreover, the majority of the disinformation actors has praised the proposed changes to the public broadcaster.
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Fear-mongering and false calls for peace complement continued attacks on media and journalists
The ruling coalition headed by Robert Fico continues its so-called sovereign foreign policy to all sides of the world. It is accompanied by fear-mongering about Slovakia's involvement in the war in Ukraine, as well as continuous false calls for peace. The meeting between the Slovak and Russian foreign ministers in Turkey earned praise from the disinformation ecosystem and the media continue to be confronted with themdeceitful rhetoric from government officials.
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Slovak MEPs are branded 'traitors' as they fight to uphold the rule of law in the country, Pro-Russian actors accuse Latvia of oppressing the Russian minority
Far-right politicians are utilising narratives criticising the European Parliament and accusing MEPs of betrayal, incompetence, and working against Slovakia's interests. Slovak MEPs face accusations amid a rule of law struggle triggered by Prime Minister Robert Fico's controversial plans, with political actors attempting to shift blame from the government's actions.
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Far-right actors spread claims of the EU becoming a “military federation”, false narratives about the EU’s Digital Identity are on the rise as well
Far-right figures in Slovakia sow fear about the EU's alleged transformation and the implications of the European Digital Identity. Are these claims legitimate concerns or orchestrated chaos for political gain? Join the investigation into manipulated narratives and the push against mainstream media in a complex information battleground.
