GIZ Moldova’s Post

Deep preparation, networks of cooperation, and active utilization of new technology "have allowed civil society organizations and governments in Ukraine and Central and Eastern Europe to build trust and tell Ukraine’s story." https://lnkd.in/eaYkQSE5

https://lnkd.in/etzbMgx4 From Trumpists to Communists. The forces in the U.S. impeding aid to Ukraine and how they do it Analytics, Data, and Text: Inna Gadzynska, Serhii Mikhalkov, Mykhailo Tymoshenko, Volodymyr Lytvynov ..."Texty.org.ua decided to research the reasons expressed by the media and expert communities contributing to political discordance within the decision-making establishment. As a result, we identified a wide range of groups opposing support for Ukraine, from Trump supporters to communists, and explored the ecosystem of mutual support among those who hold this position. ... There are 388 individuals and 76 organizations in our list. These include politicians, political movements and groups, media and journalists, experts, and think tanks (some individuals appear in multiple categories). A little more than half of the individuals in this sample are right-wing, about one in eight are left-wing, and the rest do not associate themselves with a specific ideological platform. The right-wing individuals are mostly politicians affiliated with the Trump wing of the Republican Party. Most of the left-wing individuals are anti-war activists and left-leaning parties that urge the government to stop funding Ukraine. Most of the media, journalists, experts, and think tanks in this list do not have a clear right or left bias. Out of these, 50 individuals have collaborated with Russian media and government-funded initiatives during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (after February 24, 2022). Some have moved to Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine. Around 30 journalists and influencers work as reporters and contributors for Russian media and also serve as observers at illegal referendums in Russian-occupied territories. ... In the table, we have gathered links to the statements of the individuals and organizations to show the basis of our research. The data is current as of early May 2024."...

"Authoritarian governments use information manipulation to shred the fabric of free and democratic societies. They manipulate social discourse, skew national and international debates on subjects of critical importance, and undermine democratic institutions. This transnational threat requires a coordinated international response. The Framework serves as a tool for diplomatic engagement on the threat of foreign information manipulation. It will deepen cooperation between like-minded partners, establish a common operating picture, and support the development of resilient, fact-based information ecosystems. The Framework is based on five Key Action Areas: (1) national strategies and policies; (2) governance structures and institutions; (3) human and technical capacity; (4) civil society, independent media, and academia; and (5) multilateral engagement."

Perhaps the western world is finally realizing the danger of disinformation. I am cautiously optimistic that The #United States, #United Kingdom, and #Canada have taken a step forward in combating disinformation by signing a formal framework agreement. With the aim of safeguarding #nationalsecurity and addressing foreign state manipulation in the digital age. We need a collective response and for like-minded nations to unite in fortifying resilience and response against information manipulation. Through enhanced information-sharing and collaborative data analysis tools, we can effectively identify and counter covert foreign disinformation tactics. I am very proud of my dear friend, Pablo Breuer, Ph.D., co-founder of DISARM Foundation and co-author of the DISARM framework, who pioneered work to address #disinformation and #misinformation, which is world’s biggest problem. U.S. Department of State World Trade Organization (Update: I will remove posts that promote unfounded conspiracy theories, especially those that are purposely designed to be harmful.) #Disinformation #NationalSecurity #GlobalPartnership #Misinformation #propaganda #informationwarfare

Are we seeing the Streisand effect? A Russian disinformation network, dubbed "Pravda," was exposed this year – yet it's expanded further within the EU. This raises the question: do attempts to suppress online falsehoods sometimes backfire? The EDMO report highlights a concerning trend in the disinformation landscape. #misinformation #disinformation #russia #cognitivesecurity #informationintegrity https://lnkd.in/gN4DPuG4

🎉 SEE Check is pleased to share the second in a series of annual reports detailing the disinformation landscape in the region. The report from Montenegro highlights: 📈 A significant rise in anti-EU narratives and sophisticated disinformation tactics; 🇪🇺🌍Persistent false narratives about EU policies, climate change, and conspiracy theories involving global elites;  🌐 Accusations against the EU and NATO concerning their roles in international conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine; 📊 Disinformation about the population census. The report also discusses the key actors behind the spread of misinformation, the techniques they use, events that have triggered disinformation campaigns, recent efforts to combat these issues, and the current legislative environment addressing disinformation in Montenegro. 🔗 Read the full report here:

#Canada, the #UnitedStates, and the #UnitedKingdom are taking a united stand against foreign information manipulation, endorsing a groundbreaking framework aimed at bolstering resilience against disinformation campaigns. Read More https://lnkd.in/dxfqYcBr

Damned if You Do and Damned if You Don't: The CSIS Dilemma on Foreign Interference 🤔🇨🇦 In light of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency's recent findings, it’s clear that CSIS faces a significant challenge in balancing the dissemination of intelligence on foreign interference with the potential political ramifications of such actions. Questions for Thought: Should CSIS be held accountable for the communication gaps identified in the NSIRA report, or do these issues lie more with the recipients of the intelligence? What threshold should be met before intelligence on foreign interference is considered significant enough to influence the outcome of an election? See the Global News report here: https://lnkd.in/egACtkgv The NSIRA report highlights several critical issues: 📉 Tracking Failures: CSIS and Public Safety Canada lacked a system to track who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating "unacceptable gaps in accountability." 📤 Inconsistent Distribution: During the last two general elections, the distribution of intelligence by CSIS was inconsistent, and the rationale for these decisions was unclear, affecting the flow of information. 🔍 Communication Issues: The threat posed by interference activities was not clearly communicated by CSIS, leading to misunderstandings among those who received the intelligence on its significance and how to integrate the findings into policy analysis and decision-making. ⚖️ Internal Disagreements: There were disagreements between intelligence units and senior public servants on whether activities described in briefs amounted to foreign interference or legitimate diplomatic activity. The report also revealed that intelligence about attempted foreign interference by China in federal democratic institutions and processes from 2018 to 2023 was inconsistently managed. For example, there were significant lapses in communication regarding China’s targeting of a sitting MP. 🛡️ Action Recommendations: The watchdog recommended rigorous tracking of intelligence dissemination and a comprehensive policy for CSIS's engagement with threats related to political foreign interference. Your thoughts and insights on these matters are invaluable as we navigate this complex landscape. To gain a better understanding of Foreign Interference and other National Security issues in Canada and around the world go to https://lnkd.in/g5gfQZ_7 How do we ensure that vital intelligence is not only disseminated but also appropriately acted upon? And at what point does the information itself pose a risk of influencing elections? 💬🔎

There is a need to institutionalize government initiatives to deter #China's actions in the West Philippine Sea, as assertive transparency has been proven effective in countering the latter's supposed misinformation and activities in the waters, security experts have said. Among those who made the suggestion was retired US Col. Raymond Powell, who is also the founder of security think tank Project Sealight, who believed that "maximum transparency brings maximum accountability." During a forum that tackled disinformation in the West Philippine Sea organized by Stratbase Institute, Powell said that "if you turn on the lights in the gray zone, all of a sudden, the 'cockroaches' scatter." Experts have since described China's aggression and incursive activities in the whole of South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, as "gray zone operations," or activities that fall short of being called as war. "The importance of institutionalizing transparency—to write it down and disseminate so that everybody will fully understand it," Powell said. Benjamin Goirigolzarri, team member of Project Myoush of Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, shared the same sentiment. Goirigolzarri said that "assertive transparency shifts the calculus on grey zone aggression" and that "it has the impression to impose really steep international reputational cost to the bad actors." One of the ways the #Philippines could do that is to commit to the use of free press, which he said could offer "a really compelling narrative in the face of Chinese misinformation." And that's what the government is currently doing, he noted. "So, now, Philippine vessels are armed with journalists ready to document run-ins with the Chinese militia to put on display to the world the bullying that Chinese are doing in the South China Sea," Goirigolzarri said. In a paper published by Stratbase Institute, Powell and Gorigolzarri made a comprehensive analysis on the government's assertive transparency initiative, which involves "seeking out and exposing Chinese maritime aggression for the world to see." Both experts noted that the transparency initiative "enables ordinary citizens to viscerally experience the full measure of gray zone aggression, which gives the government increased political latitude to take the hard steps required to push back." Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation Joe Felter Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit Joyce Reyes Krystyna Louise Dy Alynna Carlos

There is a need to institutionalize government initiatives to deter #China's actions in the West Philippine Sea, as assertive transparency has been proven effective in countering the latter's supposed misinformation and activities in the waters, security experts have said. Among those who made the suggestion was retired US Col. Ray Powell, who is also the founder of security think tank Project Sealight, who believed that "maximum transparency brings maximum accountability." During a forum that tackled disinformation in the West Philippine Sea organized by Stratbase Institute, Powell said that "if you turn on the lights in the gray zone, all of a sudden, the 'cockroaches' scatter." Experts have since described China's aggression and incursive activities in the whole of South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, as "gray zone operations," or activities that fall short of being called as war. "The importance of institutionalizing transparency—to write it down and disseminate so that everybody will fully understand it," Powell said. Benjamin Goirigolzarri, team member of Project Myoush of Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, shared the same sentiment. Goirigolzarri said that "assertive transparency shifts the calculus on grey zone aggression" and that "it has the impression to impose really steep international reputational cost to the bad actors." One of the ways the #Philippines could do that is to commit to the use of free press, which he said could offer "a really compelling narrative in the face of Chinese misinformation." And that's what the government is currently doing, he noted. "So, now, Philippine vessels are armed with journalists ready to document run-ins with the Chinese militia to put on display to the world the bullying that Chinese are doing in the South China Sea," Goirigolzarri said. In a paper published by Stratbase Institute, Powell and Gorigolzarri made a comprehensive analysis on the government's assertive transparency initiative, which involves "seeking out and exposing Chinese maritime aggression for the world to see." Both experts noted that the transparency initiative "enables ordinary citizens to viscerally experience the full measure of gray zone aggression, which gives the government increased political latitude to take the hard steps required to push back." https://lnkd.in/e6Uu-S26