Russian propaganda uses practically the same tools and messages to spread disinformation in Central & Eastern Europe and in Ukraine. Just some accents differ in the overall narrative, with regard to peculiarities of situation in a given country. These trends were revealed within the research conducted by experts from Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Ukraine. Within the discussion \u201cInformation warfare in the Internet. Revealing and countering the Kremlin propaganda in Central and Eastern Europe\u201d held at Ukraine Crisis Media Center, they presented their findings for each particular country and suggested what should be done to counter the disinformation.<\/p>\n
The research was conducted by partner think-tanks from six countries. During July \u2013 October 2-16, they analyzed online & broadcasting media and social networks, revealing several hundreds of examples of completely fake or manipulative pieces of information.<\/p>\n
Channels of disinformation<\/p>\n
According to the experts, the main channels to distribute disinformation are so-called \u201calternative media\u201d and social networks. For instance, in the Czech Republic there is about a hundred of websites spreading disinformation, said Ivana Smolenova, program manager of Prague Security Studies Institute. The experts classified them in two sub-categories: \u201cconspiracy theories websites\u201d, which look like non-professional blogs, and \u201calternative media\u201d. The latter position themselves as an alternative to \u201cbiased mainstream media\u201d and have a bigger number of readers. In Hungary and Moldova, in addition to these, disinformation is often spread through websites of puppet NGOs, sponsored by Russia.<\/p>\n
Sometimes (and sometimes as a normal abnormal) manipulative information penetrates into mainstream national media. For example, pro-Russian narrative and manipulated information is widespread in Hungarian pro-governmental media, such as news agency \u041c\u0422\u0406, elaborated Agnieszka Ostrowska, expert and project coordinator of the Centre for International Relations . Polish media are much more resistant to fakes, however, they had spread the news about Egypt allegedly transferring to Russia warships \u201cMistral\u201d, which France refused to sell to Russia.<\/p>\n
In some cases Russian media spread manipulated news directly. Russian propaganda news outlet \u201cSputnik\u201d is available in the CEEC. Russian channels \u201cPervyi kanal\u201d, \u201cNTV\u201d and \u201cRussia\u201d are retransmitted in Moldova.<\/p>\n
Messages and techniques<\/p>\n
Disinformation techniques are common for all countries where research was conducted. Among the most widespread are distorted coverage of events, manipulation of facts, address to emotions such as fear and concern, manipulation on sensible topics, merging in one context the events which are not interconnected, reference to doubtful sources or complete absence of reference, reference to would-be experts, merging facts and personal opinion of the author. Sometimes there are absolutely blatant lies, such as two fake interviews with two Polish generals published on the eve of Warsaw summit. In fact, these interviews never took place. By the way, authors are usually anonymous, which makes it impossible to blame and shame them when the lies are revealed.<\/p>\n
Manipulative messages are also common for all CEEC countries; however, some of them refer to local sensitive issues. According to the experts, typical messages are about \u201cthe declining West\u201d and future breakdown of the EU, about the threats of refugee crisis and Islamic terrorism, accusing NATO of aggressive, condemning \u201cAmerican imperialism\u201d and \u201cUkrainian junta\u201d and flattering Vladimir Putin as a strong leader.<\/p>\n
The Kremlin propaganda actively speculates on sensible issues and urgent problems. For instance, in Poland propaganda uses the topic of Volyn massacre, claiming that now \u201cthese Bandera supporters came to power in Kyiv\u201d, that Ukraine is going to lay claims on Polish territories. At the same time, they remind that \u201cLviv is a Polish city\u201d and call to unite efforts with \u201cbrothers-Slavs\u201d, the Russians, instead of the \u201chomosexual West\u201d. Anti-American messages are widespread too, with speculations that Poland is becoming \u201cthe vassal of the USA\u201d, that NATO is \u201ca tool of the US\u201d aimed \u201cto back interests of a small group of elites\u201d and NATO is provoking Putin, that if the war starts, Poland again will be left to fend for itself despite all the treaties, as on the dawn of World War II.<\/p>\n
In Moldova, propaganda uses the country\u2019s weaknesses \u2013 the frozen conflict in Transnistria and strong separatist moods in Gagauz autonomy. It also speculates on the issue of Russian speaking population and promotes narrative about \u201ca language genocide\u201d, spreading manipulative news about Russian schools allegedly being closed and Russian speakers allegedly being refused to serve in pharmacies unless they switch to Romanian.<\/p>\n
Ukraine<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring four month of our research we noticed fake news in nearly 20 Ukrainian media,\u201d said Margo Gontar, co-founder of \u201cStopFake.org\u201d. Among these are \u201cVesti\u201d and \u201cRIA Novosti\u201d, which was predictable, and, unexpectedly, several rather objective media, for instance, \u201cNovoye Vremya\u201d. \u201cSometimes it happens as a result of unprofessional journalism and insufficient fact-checking. But the majority of fakes which were detected are the same that are spread in Russian media,\u201d said Gontar.<\/p>\n
One of the brightest fakes which was immediately shared in social networks and repeated forward in a number of media was that UEFA allegedly started investigation of anti-doping violations by Ukrainian sportsmen. \u201cUEFA confirmed that they did not start any investigation and there are no problems with this,\u201d explained Margo Gontar. Another example is the news about \u201cDPR\u201d opening diplomatic offices in Europe. In fact, it was an NGO which intentionally choose the name beginning as \u201cDPR Office\u201d. \u201cUkrainian media usually delete fake news when we publish refutation\u201d, she summed up.<\/p>\n
Conclusions<\/p>\n
Resilience of the society to propaganda and fakes starts from recognition that the problem is a reality, said the experts. It would be a good idea to offer a course of \u201cmedia literacy\u201d at schools. The experts who study this issue separately in their home countries should unite their efforts and raise public discussions on the issue. \u201cIt\u2019s not only the problem of pro-Kremlin propaganda, it is generally a new phenomenon of fake news, or manipulative news. We live in the 21st century, with Internet, social media and other means of communication, and many people, mainstream media included, are not sometimes aware that they copy or refer to the news which is fake or manipulated. This is really a huge challenge to work on,\u201d emphasized Ma\u0142gorzata Bonikowska, president of the Centre for International Relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a complicated problem which affects so many parts of the society. The response must come from all parts of the society. On the one hand, we need to work with disinformation itself \u2013 to study the phenomenon, to debunk fake stories and conspiracies, raising awareness about the topic,\u201d noted Ivana Smolenova. It is important to improve education quality in general, she added, because \u201cdisinformation will work as long as there are people who are willing to trust it.\u201d<\/p>\n
A lot depends on professionalism of the journalists. \u201cSometimes we are caught between the eagerness to be attractive and [the necessity] to be responsible. [\u2026] We must be very cautious not to become the tools of propaganda,\u201d Agnieszka Ostrowska stressed.<\/p>\n
Full research is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"