The Fight Against Disinformation A Persistent Challenge For Democracy

Disinformation, the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading information to deceive or manipulate public opinion, represents a profound and ongoing threat to Western democracies. It erodes trust in institutions, fuels polarization, and undermines decision-making processes. Russian disinformation campaigns, in particular, showcase a sophisticated, multilayered system of narratives tailored to exploit societal vulnerabilities. Understanding their architecture and methodologies is critical for crafting effective countermeasures to safeguard democratic systems. Moscow’s disinformation campaigns have achieved significant victories in reshaping public opinion and influencing geopolitical trajectories. In Georgia, Russian narratives have successfully steered segments of the population away from a Western-oriented path, fostering skepticism toward European integration and NATO membership.

Similarly, these campaigns have undermined international support for Ukraine by spreading false narratives about the conflict, portraying Ukraine as a failed state or aggressor, and sowing doubts about the necessity of Western involvement. Moreover, Russia’s strategic use of disinformation has eroded trust in NATO, amplifying fears of alliance overreach and internal divisions. These successes highlight the dangerous efficacy of disinformation in advancing Moscow’s geopolitical agenda and emphasize the urgent need for robust counter-strategies. Russian disinformation operates as a well-coordinated ecosystem capable of deploying and adapting diverse narratives across multiple platforms. These narratives are strategically designed to evolve in intensity and variation, targeting the unique characteristics of the media environments and societies they infiltrate. Countries with complex media landscapes are especially vulnerable due to the multiplicity of audiences and channels.

Key narrative categories include the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), which solidifies identification with Russia among Russian-speaking populations, particularly in nations like Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine. The narrative of Slavic Unity leverages shared ethnic and historical ties to bolster support for Russia’s geopolitical agenda. Similarly, nostalgia for the Soviet era challenges Western-dominated global systems by portraying Russia as a counterbalance to perceived Western hegemony. Other narratives focus on “anti” rhetoric against the European Union, NATO, and liberal democratic values, resonating with far-right and nationalist movements in Europe. Finally, the strategy of presenting alternative and conflicting information seeks to erode the concept of objective truth, creating confusion and mistrust of credible sources. The systemic nature of these campaigns relies on a network of state institutions, including the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Federal Security Service, alongside state-controlled media and private actors.

Even the Russian Orthodox Church plays a strategic role in amplifying these messages. Counteracting such interconnected networks requires a holistic and targeted approach that goes beyond addressing individual narratives to dismantle the broader infrastructure. A particularly insidious component of this ecosystem is the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliated organizations in advancing Kremlin-aligned narratives. Under the guise of anti-cult activities, these efforts marginalize minority religious communities while promoting Russian imperialist ideologies. The Russian Association of Centers for the Study of Religions and Sects (RACIRS), led by Alexander Dvorkin, exemplifies this strategy. Through seminars, publications, and collaborations with media outlets, RACIRS propagates divisive rhetoric abroad, often justifying Russia’s foreign and domestic policies, including the invasion of Ukraine.

For instance, RACIRS has engaged in partnerships with pro-Russian groups in Central and Eastern Europe to influence public opinion. Ullrich Ecker is a professor at the School of Psychological Science and a fellow at the Public Policy Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Jon Roozenbeek is assistant professor in psychology and security at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, UK. Sander van der Linden is a professor of social psychology in society at the University of Cambridge, UK. Li Qian Tay is a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. John Cook is a senior research fellow at the Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

A high-level, evidence-informed guide to some of the major proposals for how democratic governments, platforms, and others can counter disinformation. The Technology and International Affairs Program develops insights to address the governance challenges and large-scale risks of new technologies. Our experts identify actionable best practices and incentives for industry and government leaders on artificial intelligence, cyber threats, cloud security, countering influence operations, reducing the risk of biotechnologies, and ensuring global digital inclusion. The goal of the Partnership for Countering Influence Operations (PCIO) is to foster evidence-based policymaking to counter threats in the information environment. Key roadblocks as found in our work include the lack of: transparency reporting to inform what data is available for research purposes; rules guiding how data can be shared with researchers and for what... Carnegie’s Information Environment Project is a multistakeholder effort to help policymakers understand the information environment, think through the impact of efforts to govern it, and identify promising interventions to foster democracy.

Disinformation is widely seen as a pressing challenge for democracies worldwide. Many policymakers are grasping for quick, effective ways to dissuade people from adopting and spreading false beliefs that degrade democratic discourse and can inspire violent or dangerous actions. Yet disinformation has proven difficult to define, understand, and measure, let alone address. The Disinformation Deluge: A Threat to Democracy Itself Disinformation, the deliberate spread of false or misleading information, has evolved from a nuisance into a full-blown assault on democracy. It’s no longer merely about manipulating elections or eroding trust in media; it now targets the fundamental rights and freedoms that underpin democratic societies.

The right to access accurate information, to express oneself freely, and to participate meaningfully in public life are all under attack. Worse still, this erosion of rights paves the way for unchecked power, whether wielded by those officially in office or by influential figures operating in the shadows. This orchestrated campaign of deceit seeks to undermine democratic institutions, replacing accountability and transparency with arbitrary rule and intimidation. The consequences of inaction are dire, jeopardizing the very foundations of a free and just society. The Tactics of Disinformation: Flooding the Zone, Silencing Dissent One of the primary tactics employed by purveyors of disinformation is to "flood the zone," overwhelming the public sphere with a torrent of falsehoods and conspiracy theories.

This creates an environment where reasoned debate becomes impossible, where lies are amplified, and where the voices of reason struggle to be heard. Independent voices – journalists, civil society organizations, and even judicial figures – are often targeted with baseless accusations and smear campaigns, designed to discredit them and silence their critique. This strategy aims to undermine public trust in legitimate sources of information, leaving citizens vulnerable to manipulation and increasingly reliant on those disseminating the disinformation. Social media platforms, with their vast reach and algorithms that can prioritize sensational content, often exacerbate this problem. The Urgency of Regulation: Protecting Freedom, Ensuring Accountability Disinformation Is the Real Threat to Democracy and Public Health

Disinformation abounds, and it can kill. Fortunately, it can often be unambiguously identified By Stephan Lewandowsky, Sander van der Linden & Andy Norman House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) speaks to reporters before heading into a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Disinformation is the coin of the modern realm.

Vaccine denial, climate denial, election denial and war-crime denial have joined the grotesque denial of the Holocaust in the ranks of dishonesties now regularly foisted on the public. We can, however, do something about this crisis of the information age. In an increasingly interconnected world, the spread of disinformation and misinformation poses a growing threat to the very foundations of democracy. On September 23, 2024, the Center for Human Rights hosted a crucial discussion on this critical issue, marking the launch of the book "Disinformation, Misinformation & Democracy." The event, titled "The Challenges of Disinformation... The panel featured Professor Bertoni, the Center’s Director and a contributor to the book, alongside Ronald Krotoszynski from the University of Alabama School of Law, Bernát Török from the Institute of the Information Society... The panelists began by outlining the insidious ways in which disinformation and misinformation erode democratic processes.

They highlighted the corrosive effect of false narratives on public trust, emphasizing how easily manipulated information can skew public perception and undermine faith in institutions. This erosion of trust, they argued, creates fertile ground for political polarization and social division, making it increasingly difficult to engage in constructive dialogue and reach consensus on critical issues. The discussion also emphasized the particular vulnerability of elections and policy-making to disinformation campaigns, noting how bad actors can exploit the information ecosystem to manipulate public opinion and influence electoral outcomes. Examples were provided of recent elections globally where disinformation played a significant role in shaping public discourse and potentially swaying results. Beyond the immediate impact on elections, the panelists explored the long-term consequences of disinformation for democratic self-governance. They argued that the constant barrage of false and misleading information can lead to a state of "information overload," where citizens become overwhelmed and disengaged, making it difficult to discern truth from falsehood.

This, in turn, can lead to apathy and cynicism, undermining civic participation and weakening the foundations of democratic societies. The panelists underscored the need for robust civic education programs that equip citizens with critical thinking skills to navigate the complex information landscape and identify manipulative tactics. They emphasized the importance of empowering individuals to become informed consumers of information, capable of evaluating the credibility of sources and distinguishing fact from fiction. The conversation then shifted to exploring actionable strategies for mitigating the threat of disinformation while simultaneously upholding fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression. The panelists recognized the inherent tension between combating disinformation and protecting free speech, acknowledging that any solution must strike a delicate balance. They discussed a range of potential approaches, from regulatory frameworks that address the spread of disinformation online to public awareness campaigns that promote media literacy and critical thinking.

The discussion explored the potential role of social media platforms in combating disinformation and the need for greater transparency and accountability from these powerful actors. The panelists also touched upon the potential of using fact-checking organizations and other independent bodies to verify information and debunk false narratives. The event fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas among the panelists and the audience, highlighting the complexities involved in addressing this pressing challenge. Participants engaged in lively discussions about the ethical considerations surrounding content moderation, the role of government in regulating online platforms, and the importance of international cooperation in combating disinformation campaigns that transcend national borders. The panelists stressed the urgency of this issue, emphasizing that effective solutions require a multi-pronged approach involving governments, technology companies, civil society organizations, and individuals. They called for greater collaboration and information sharing between these stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies that can effectively counter the spread of disinformation and safeguard democratic values.

The Disinformation War: A Threat to Democracy in the Digital Age The 21st century has witnessed the rise of globalization, connecting nations and individuals in unprecedented ways. However, this interconnectedness has also created new vulnerabilities, particularly in the digital realm. Cyberspace has become a battleground for geopolitical conflict, with disinformation emerging as a potent weapon. This insidious tactic, whether intentional or unintentional, poses a grave threat to the stability of liberal democracies worldwide. The Disinformation Forum 2025, held in Buenos Aires, brought together international experts and diplomats to grapple with this challenge and explore strategies to counter the spread of disinformation while safeguarding freedom of expression.

The forum highlighted the pernicious nature of disinformation, describing it as "poison" for democratic coexistence. It erodes trust in institutions, pollutes public discourse, and manipulates public opinion. The rise of disinformation campaigns, often orchestrated by foreign actors seeking to interfere in domestic affairs, has become a significant concern for nations worldwide. These campaigns exploit social divisions, amplify extremist voices, and undermine faith in democratic processes, particularly during elections and other critical political junctures. The case of Argentina provides a stark example of this threat. President Javier Milei’s administration has been accused of utilizing disinformation tactics to attack professional journalists and media outlets critical of the government.

This assault on the press, combined with the proliferation of online disinformation, creates a hostile environment for independent journalism and weakens the public’s ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. This deliberate erosion of journalistic integrity further exacerbates the information crisis and empowers those seeking to manipulate public perception. The forum also examined the role of foreign interference in spreading disinformation. Representatives from Canada and Ukraine shared their experiences, detailing how foreign actors attempted to influence their elections and sow discord within their societies. Canada, despite preserving the integrity of its electoral processes, recognized the ongoing threat and implemented measures to strengthen its democratic institutions. Ukraine, meanwhile, has been battling a sustained information war waged by Russia, a campaign aimed at delegitimizing the Ukrainian government and justifying acts of aggression.

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