Interview with Krista Mulenok (Secretary General of the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association (EATA))
BCME: Estonia is often seen as a leader in digital resilience and countering hybrid threats. In your view, what sets Estonia’s approach to security and disinformation apart from other NATO countries?
Krista Mulenok: Estonia’s approach to security and disinformation truly stands out because of its proactive, digital-first strategy. After the 2007 cyber-attack, Estonia recognized the importance of integrating cybersecurity into national defense, and since then, it has built one of the most advanced digital societies in the world. Cybersecurity is now a core part of daily life and national defense, which has positioned Estonia as a global leader in digital security.
A key element of Estonia’s strategy is its role in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence in Tallinn. This center is a global hub for cybersecurity expertise, and Estonia plays a leading role in improving NATO’s collective response to cyber threats and disinformation. Another aspect that sets Estonia apart is its whole-of-society approach. The government, private sector, and citizens all work together to counter disinformation, with a strong emphasis on digital literacy and public awareness. Estonia has embedded digital literacy in its education system, ensuring that future generations can identify and resist misinformation.
On the disinformation front, Estonia has made it a national security issue. Initiatives like “E-Estonia” help ensure that citizens are well-informed and resilient to false narratives, and Estonia collaborates closely with NATO and the EU to share intelligence and best practices.
Estonia is also a leader in cyber diplomacy. It advocates for a rules-based international order in cyberspace and has shaped global norms for cybersecurity within NATO, ensuring that nations can collectively address digital threats.
Another innovative step has been Estonia’s digital citizenship initiative, which empowers citizens to securely interact with the government and access services online. This has not only fostered resilience but also strengthened Estonia’s defenses through regular cyber drills, ensuring rapid adaptation to new challenges.
Lastly, Estonia’s ability to respond quickly and adapt to emerging threats—whether cyber-attacks or disinformation—has made it a model for agility in national security. The country’s systems are built to address threats in real time, making it one of the most responsive and resilient nations when it comes to digital security.
Estonia’s comprehensive, digital-focused security strategy makes it a leader in tackling modern threats and offers valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges.
Photo: Krista Mulenok during a presentation (provided by BCME).
BCME: Just as other Baltic States, Estonia has been a frequent target of disinformation campaigns. What strategies have proven most effective in countering these threats?
Krista Mulenok: Estonia, like its Baltic neighbors, has been a frequent target of disinformation campaigns, particularly from state and non-state actors seeking to undermine its stability, democratic processes, and national unity. To effectively counter these threats, Estonia has implemented a multi-faceted approach that combines technological, strategic, and societal measures.
One of the key strategies has been the integration of digital literacy and public awareness into the education system. By teaching citizens, especially students, how to critically evaluate online information, Estonia equips its population with the tools needed to identify and prevent the spread of disinformation.
Government transparency and communication have also played a crucial role. In times of crisis or when disinformation spreads, the Estonian government has been quick to provide accurate, timely information to build trust and prevent false narratives from taking root. The government utilizes official channels such as social media and dedicated websites to disseminate factual information in real-time.
Estonia’s whole-of-society approach encourages collaboration between the government, private sector, media outlets, and civil society. This includes partnerships with social media platforms and tech companies to identify and block harmful content, as well as training journalists to recognize and respond to disinformation with fact-checking and investigative reporting.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of disinformation and cyber threats, Estonia has integrated cybersecurity measures into its national defense strategy.
Fact-checking and strategic communication have been central to Estonia’s approach. By collaborating with fact-checking organizations like Propastop, Estonia is able to quickly debunk false claims and provide citizens with verified information. Propastop is specifically focused on identifying and countering Russian propaganda and disinformation in Estonia, playing a critical role in the country’s defense against such campaigns. Public awareness campaigns are frequently conducted to educate the public on the dangers of disinformation and encourage people to verify information before sharing it.
To further combat disinformation, Estonia has enacted legislation and policy frameworks that regulate social media platforms and online publishers, requiring them to take action against harmful content. This approach ensures that platforms are held accountable for the spread of disinformation. Estonia also supports EU-wide initiatives to enhance the regulation of online platforms and promote transparency in content moderation.
Fact-checking and strategic communication have been central to Estonia’s approach. By collaborating with fact-checking organizations, the government can debunk false claims and provide citizens with verified information. Public awareness campaigns are frequently conducted to educate the public on the dangers of disinformation and encourage people to verify information before sharing it.
On the international stage, Estonia advocates for global cooperation in countering disinformation. As a NATO and EU member, Estonia shares intelligence with its allies and works to create common standards for countering online manipulation. The country also supports global norms for responsible behavior in cyberspace.
In terms of psychological resilience, Estonia emphasizes building a strong national identity and fostering critical thinking. By doing so, it strengthens public trust in democratic institutions, making it more difficult for disinformation to exploit societal divisions.
BCME: Estonia has strong media literacy initiatives. How does EATA contribute to educating the public on identifying and resisting propaganda?
Krista Mulenok: The Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association (EATA) plays a vital role in enhancing media literacy and helping individuals recognize and resist disinformation and propaganda. Through public awareness campaigns EATA educates Estonians on identifying fake news, understanding the spread of propaganda, and promoting critical media consumption skills.
EATA also runs educational programs (Zoom vebinars), targeting various groups such as students, teachers, Defence League members, journalists, and community leaders, teaching them to spot manipulation techniques and verify sources. The organization emphasizes critical thinking, encouraging people to question the sources of information and recognize tactics used by propagandists. Additionally, EATA places a strong focus on engaging young people through school programs, equipping them with the tools to navigate misinformation in the digital world.
Working closely with the Estonian government, EATA supports national efforts to combat disinformation, ensuring consistency in messaging (EATA is part of media literature network). Through materials and events, EATA provides valuable insights on disinformation and media manipulation for journalists, policymakers, and educators. It also fosters public dialogue by organizing forums that address media literacy, disinformation, and national security.
To reach a broader audience, EATA utilizes social media to share resources, raise awareness, and promote responsible information-sharing. The organization further strengthens Estonia’s efforts by collaborating with fact-checking organizations to ensure the public has access to reliable information and can quickly identify misinformation.
EATA’s comprehensive approach, combining educational initiatives, international collaboration, and a strong focus on critical thinking, plays a crucial role in bolstering media literacy and public resilience to disinformation. Through these efforts, EATA helps to safeguard Estonia’s national security and democratic processes.
Estonian experience
Disinformation is not just a communication challenge—it’s a national security issue. Estonia’s experience, especially as a frequent target of foreign influence operations, offers valuable lessons. Krista Mulenok highlights Estonia’s whole-of-society approach, the role of media literacy, and how EATA helps citizens recognize and resist manipulation in today’s complex information landscape.
Author: Baltic Centre for Media Excellence
Background illustration: Aerial Film Studio