Disclaimer: This article was originally published on Visegrad Insight on September 13, 2024.
In Central and Eastern Europe, CSOs are leading the charge in the fight against disinformation's threat to democracy. However, being the frequent targets of these campaigns presents a special challenge for CSOs.
Regional reports reveal a troubling trend: disinformation campaigns not only spread false narratives but are also strategically designed to exploit regional vulnerabilities, drive polarisation, and antagonize populations.
CSOs serve as the proverbial 'canary in the coal mine', as efforts to stifle their activities are often an early warning sign of democratic backsliding and attempts to undermine core democratic values.
Targeted by smear tactics and intimidation, Civil Society Organisations are critical in countering false narratives and maintaining societal resilience. These organizations must be provided with context-aware support as they battle disinformation and protect democratic values across the region.
The rise of disinformation has become one of the most pressing challenges facing democratic societies across the globe. From increasing vaccine hesitancy and eroding trust in democratic processes to violent riots incited by angry mobs, all of these phenomena have been influenced or directly triggered by disinformation campaigns.
Central and Eastern Europe offers a stark example of the corrosive effects disinformation can have on the fabric of democracy. Despite growing recognition of the issue, one crucial element is often overlooked: the chilling effect disinformation has on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and their essential work.
CSOs are pivotal in upholding democratic values, particularly in the face of mounting internal and external pressures. However, they are increasingly becoming targets of smear campaigns, intimidation and online threats – often instigated by disinformation efforts from both domestic and foreign actors.
In response to these growing threats, TechSoup, through its Digital Activism Program (DAP), has released a series of comprehensive Regional Mapping Reports that highlight the critical challenges and urgent needs of CSOs across Europe. These reports provide an in-depth examination of the pressing issues facing CSOs in the Western Balkans, Black Sea, Baltic and Visegrad regions.
The Growing Threat of Disinformation
Disinformation campaigns, particularly those supporting Russian interests, have become a key tool in undermining democratic institutions and societal cohesion across Central and Eastern Europe and reveal a troubling trend: these campaigns not only spread false narratives but are also strategically designed to exploit regional vulnerabilities, drive polarisation and antagonise populations.
Black Sea Region
In the Black Sea region, disinformation frequently targets government institutions and public trust, portraying the West as an enemy to sow discord and weaken support for the EU and NATO. Propaganda often creates artificial societal divisions by exploiting issues such as gender equality and LGBTIQ+ rights, polarising people between liberal pro-European and anti-liberal nationalist values.
However, there are significant differences among individual Black Sea countries. In Romania, due to its history and geopolitical orientation, openly pro-Russian narratives are absent. By contrast, portraying Russia as a counterweight to the 'corrupt West' is quite prevalent in Bulgaria and Moldova.
The entire Black Sea region lies in close proximity to Ukraine, and all its countries have witnessed an influx of Ukrainian refugees, as well as the substantial economic and societal impacts of the war. Various efforts aim to weaken pro-Ukraine sentiment or reshape the political landscape by supporting Russia-friendly political actors, particularly in Moldova.
Baltic Region
In the Baltic states, disinformation campaigns seek to undermine democracy, foster societal divisions and challenge political alliances. Various Facebook and Telegram groups, which focus on the Russian-speaking population within the region are important sources of disinformation.
Additionally, Russian-controlled media outlets broadcasting in the local languages have played a significant role in amplifying polarising narratives, leveraging linguistic and cultural connections to Russia to effectively reach and influence the Russian-speaking population.
In Lithuania, false information often undermines trust in government institutions, especially in the wake of corruption scandals. The revelation of President Nausėda’s unreported past links to the Communist Party has been strategically used to erode confidence in political leadership and challenge Lithuania’s loyalty to its Western military partnerships.
Despite Estonia’s reputation for its e-government and advanced digital infrastructure, it is not immune to disinformation, both domestic and foreign. A notable example is the scandal involving Johanna-Maria Lehtme and the alleged misuse of funds intended for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. In Estonia, where transparency is highly valued, this case has become a key talking point for those pushing disinformation. The situation is particularly damaging, as it feeds the narrative that Western support for Ukraine is riddled with corruption, further eroding public trust in humanitarian efforts.
Latvia, with its large Russian-speaking minority, grapples with polarising narratives that exploit linguistic and ethnic differences, leading to disputes over cultural and historical issues, such as the removal of Soviet-era monuments or the presence of NATO in Latvia.
By targeting officials like Defense Minister Ināra Mūrniece, Kremlin-aligned media attempts to undermine confidence in Latvia’s leadership. They ridicule her decisions, portraying her as ineffective, thus feeding public scepticism toward NATO’s expanded role in the Baltic region.
These efforts aim to align local opposition with Russia’s geopolitical interests, ultimately attempting to weaken NATO's influence near Russia's borders.
Western Balkans
In the Western Balkans, disinformation has become a potent weapon for both governments and opposition groups, particularly during election periods. This tactic is used to manipulate public opinion, sow division and secure or consolidate political power.
In Serbia, the government has been known to disseminate disinformation, depicting the opposition and foreign entities as serious threats.
Kosovo faces its own disinformation challenges, primarily related to ethnic tensions and the controversial issue of the Association of Serb Municipalities. Both the government and the opposition accuse each other of fostering instability, with these narratives often linked to broader geopolitical conflicts and punitive measures by the EU.
In North Macedonia, disinformation surged in 2023, particularly from opposition parties which accused the government of making excessive concessions to ethnic Albanians and Bulgarians, while also promoting anti-EU and anti-NATO propaganda.
Overall, disinformation in the Western Balkans deepens divisions, disrupts reform efforts, and weakens public trust in institutions, posing significant challenges to the region’s stability and its path toward EU integration.
Visegrad
Despite sharing strong historical ties and a common communist past, the Visegrad countries are divided in their approach to disinformation and Russian propaganda.
While governments in Hungary and Slovakia either turn a blind eye to disinformation or actively engage in spreading their own false narratives, Poland and Czechia stand firm against such influences.
Across the Visegrad region, disinformation has become a favored tool for political actors seeking to deepen societal polarization and mobilize voters. Pro-Russian narratives are widespread and accepted in Hungary and Slovakia, where Russia is often depicted as a victim of NATO, and the West is blamed for the war in Ukraine.
Notable developments include the rise of the so-called 'peace narrative' (which calls for the West to cease military support for Ukraine) and the impact of the assassination of Robert Fico on the spread of conspiracy theories.
What are the similarities across the four regions?
First, the increasing use of disinformation narratives as a key strategy in political campaigns has become evident. The bolder the lies, the more traction and influence they seem to gain. Even when confronted with fact-checking, politicians rarely retreat, often choosing instead to attack those presenting the facts.
Secondly, war fatigue combined with constant Russian propaganda is shifting public opinion on the war in Ukraine. Narratives like 'this is not our war' or calls for peace are gaining traction in many countries.
Thirdly, human rights and equality are increasingly under attack across all four regions. A few years ago, the trajectory toward more equal and just societies seemed clear. However, there is growing resistance to gender equality, LGBTIQ+ rights and anti-corruption initiatives, often supported by Russian influence or transnational far-right groups.
Role of CSOs in countering disinformation
Despite the differences among the countries covered, CSOs play a vital role in countering disinformation across all four regions. CSOs are flexible and agile in their approach, often filling the gaps left by authorities in areas such as prevention, education, monitoring, and exposing disinformation campaigns.
Across various regions, CSOs have demonstrated their work improving media literacy, debunking falsehoods, and conducting fact-checking, efforts that are essential to societal resilience against propaganda and manipulation:
Romanian CSOs have been instrumental in addressing public health misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating their essential role despite severe economic disparities that limit their operational capacity.
Lithuania’s active civil society has responded with innovative media literacy programs and collaborations with tech companies to monitor and combat harmful content.
Estonian CSOs have been proactive, with initiatives focused on promoting media literacy and digital security among citizens.
Czech and Slovak CSOs have made notable progress in media literacy, launching several high-profile programs.
Polish CSOs continue to provide crucial support to Ukrainian war refugees.
Canary in the Coal Mine
Despite these successful initiatives, CSOs across the four regions are facing increasing pressure. Exposing disinformation actors or simply standing up for democratic principles comes at a significant cost. Administrative and verbal harassment, online intimidation, frivolous litigation (SLAPPs), and cuts to public funding are becoming common tactics used to silence and demoralize active citizens.
In some countries, organizations are labeled as 'foreign agents', a term used to delegitimize their work and justify reductions in funding, especially for those critical of the authorities.
These attempts to suppress and intimidate CSOs are often preceded or accompanied by disinformation campaigns, orchestrated by domestic and foreign actors, frequently exploiting Russia-originated narratives and networks.
CSOs serve as the proverbial 'canary in the coal mine', as efforts to stifle their activities are often an early warning sign of democratic backsliding and attempts to undermine core democratic values.
Supporting Civil Society
As disinformation continues to threaten the very foundations of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, CSOs are at the forefront of the struggle for truth – yet, they face unique challenges as the frequent targets of such campaigns.
CSOs across the Baltic, Black Sea, Visegrad, and Western Balkans regions face unique challenges. Policymakers, donors, activists, and concerned citizens must take context-informed action to strengthen civil society, preserve democratic values, and counter disinformation.
To do so, policymakers can take the following steps to fortify CSOs in their regional context:
Strengthen Financial Support: There is a pressing need for more consistent and sustainable funding sources for CSOs, particularly for smaller organizations that struggle to maintain operations.
Enhance Media Literacy and Digital Security: Governments and international organizations should invest in media literacy programs and digital security initiatives, particularly in regions where disinformation campaigns are most prevalent.
Foster Regional Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between CSOs across different regions can help to share best practices and develop more effective strategies to combat disinformation.
Support Innovative Approaches: CSOs should be encouraged to adopt innovative communication methods and tools to increase their outreach and effectiveness in countering disinformation.
In doing so, we can ensure that truth prevails and that the voices of those defending democracy continue to be heard!
