This Local Action case study presents how 30 students from Romania created an awareness campaign in which they informed and motivated their peers about the importance of voting. The campaign also focused on techniques for countering disinformation that young people could apply in their everyday lives.

Advocating for nature, territories, and the communities that inhabit them has led to environmental activists and ethnic leaders being labeled by companies, politicians, and armed groups. These messages, aimed at delegitimizing their work, occur in contexts marked by threats, forced displacement, and murders.

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election unfolds, disinformation campaigns are once again in the spotlight. But while much attention is focused on the U.S. domestic impact, it’s equally important to understand this phenomenon from a wider perspective. Europe’s own encounters with foreign-led disinformation offer crucial lessons and comparisons that highlight the challenges faced by democratic societies globally in an era when the line between reality and AI-generated fakes is more blurry than ever. As someone deeply involved in the study of disinformation and its socio-political impacts, I draw upon experience from other countries to shed light on the dangers posed by disinformation in the current U.S. presidential elections.

In today’s society, influenced by social media, the lure of online trends can often lead to actions with dangerous consequences. TikTok is a social media platform where users can create, share, and watch short videos.

When it comes to reading, many opt for easy and enjoyable reads, but we have an excellent recommendation for those looking for something more profound.

“The Mirage of Truth: Complexities and Challenges of Disinformation in the Western Balkans” is a perfect read for those who want to learn more about the disinformation landscape in the region.

A student party in Skopje this spring took an unexpected turn when playing an Albanian song towards the end of the event sparked controversy and hate speech on social media. Despite the organization’s inclusive nature, which includes members from diverse ethnic backgrounds, a nationalist group named “Patriotsko drushtvo” (Patriotic Society) on Instagram, self-proclaimed as a “young, ambitious group of patriots filled with enthusiasm,” criticized the inclusion of the song in Albanian, triggering hate speech aimed at the student organization.

The new video from the Metamorphosis Foundation reminds you why we should focus more on Open Data.

As an organization focused on helping children affected by domestic violence, Centrum LOCIKA often faces various forms of disinformation and misinformation about its activities. Both can significantly damage reputation, erode public trust, and have a negative impact on the work of the organization. In this article, we will share specific experiences in refuting misinformation and offer practices that may be useful for other organizations.

Artificial Intelligence has proved to be an effective tool in the field of information warfare. On the one side, it provides strong tools for data analysis and understanding the dynamics of information flow. On the other, it makes it easier to produce and spread disinformation to manipulate public perceptions. The Russian invasion on Ukraine has brought attention to the advantages of artificial intelligence, as well as its drawbacks.

A look into the Czech discourse with Vojtěch Pecka, a climate analyst at the Association for International Affairs.

Three different countries, three different economic and political situations, and three different cultures. However, they have something in common – the frequent propaganda from Russia. Each of these countries, in its own way, faces the influence of Russian false narratives. This propaganda operates differently across various countries, reflecting the unique geopolitical contexts of Belarus, Kosovo, and Tanzania.

CSOs in the Western Balkans, Black Sea, Baltic and Visegrad regions are both the targets of and vanguard against regionalised disinformation landscapes.

What can we learn about our organization using social media monitoring tools?

The biggest manipulators, including, for example, Arthur Finkelstein, who developed the Soros campaign, realized important things about the workings of the public, which we need to understand if we want video campaigns aimed at social change.

Unlike misinformation, which is often spread unintentionally, disinformation is characterized by its purposeful intent to deceive. It typically involves a well-thought-out plan that includes the creation of false or misleading content, as well as a strategy for its dissemination to reach and influence a wide audience.

In an era where information manipulation is the ultimate tool of influence, how are civil society organizations (CSOs) in Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics, the Black Sea, and the Western Balkans navigating the treacherous landscape of disinformation?

See the newest video from Metamorphosis Foundation and learn about the mechanisms behind the political manipulation.

We live in a digital age where every day we witness the advancement of one of the most prominent trends of our time: artificial intelligence. The beauty of this new trend lies in its accessibility to everyone and its versatility for virtually every need: writing texts, assembling ready-made code for programs, assisting in the creation of 3D models, which can then be used in medicine, and much more. However, for the time being, artificial intelligence is mostly used for generating images.

In an era where disinformation is a persistent threat to democratic societies, understanding its complex and evolving nature is crucial for the resilience of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the wider society.

Learn more about the two-factor authentication in a new video by Metamorphosis Foundation!

An algorithm is a procedure used to solve a problem or perform a calculation. Algorithms operate based on an exact list of instructions carried out step by step or routinely based on hardware or software. On social media, algorithms are rules, signals, and data that govern the platform's operation. These algorithms determine how content is filtered, ranked, selected, and recommended to users. In a way, algorithms influence our choices and what we see on social media.

Images created by artificial intelligence are becoming more and more realistic, and thus more difficult to distinguish from real photographs. There are several methods which may be used to identify photographs created by AI, by noticing their unnatural textures or warped backgrounds.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is permeating every facet of society, from daily life, education, healthcare, manufacturing, security, and finance, all the way to social media. One critical issue emerging is the challenge of distinguishing between what is real and what is generated by AI. Due to negative criticism, addressing and clarifying how AI should be utilized properly becomes imperative.

The message that the EU is useless for Moldova has been perpetuated for ten years, in all electoral periods: be it the general local, parliamentary or presidential elections, after Chișinău signed the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union. This autumn, when Moldovans choose their future country president, they will also decide the future of their country’s alliances: with the East or with the West.

Deepfakes are a form of audio-visual manipulation through artificial intelligence. Recent developments in this field have increased the curiosity to understand more about deepfakes. The literature on deepfakes has multiplied in recent years.

The rise of AI technology has raised significant concerns about the spread of disinformation, but also about fraud and privacy breaches. Deepfakes, which are highly realistic synthetic media messages created using artificial intelligence, have a potential to deceive and manipulate on a massive scale. These sophisticated manipulations could be done in different forms, such as video, audio, and image, and the result is often indistinguishable, making it very challenging to discern a difference between real and manipulated content.

Unveiling 'Checkbot' is a pioneering media literacy project at the forefront of empowering digital audiences now live on Facebook and Instagram.

The Ukraine Solidarity Response Initiative (USRI) was born out of a critical need to fight the rampant disinformation related to the war in Ukraine after full invasion in 2022.

It has probably happened to you - you comment on some of your own views on Facebook or post something that may not seem so controversial to you. Someone with an opposing opinion appears and conveys this in a provocative and stubborn tone. Suddenly, the entire conversation is thrown in an illogical direction, you waste time and nerves, and in the end, you wonder how such people can exist.

In short, you’ve encountered a troll.

At present, more than one third of the world’s population uses the Internet, and this trend is on a continuous rise. It is almost impossible to imagine life without the Internet, which offers thousands of information sources, digital books and maps, social media, e-commerce, digital libraries and museums, news…

One of the disinformation frontlines concerns food and its production. Its aim is to spread fabrications through these topics to support the Kremlin's “traditional” long-term disinformation narratives. These narratives are largely about the decadent West disregarding traditional values, the upcoming catastrophe, which is always around the corner, but never actually happens and caring more about the LGBTQ+ community than about the so-called traditional families.

In a world flooded with information, determining the credibility of sources we use to inform our choices is more critical than ever. Source analysis tools are essential for verifying the reliability of news and information, helping us to separate fact from fiction.

We live in an era where visual content can be easily manipulated. Thus, image and video analysis tools are crucial for verifying the authenticity of media. Learn how to utilize these tools to detect alterations, trace origins, and ensure the integrity of images and videos.

The first step in countering disinformation is to know the disinformation landscape, its actors, and narratives. Therefore, social media listening tools are essential for activists and organizations committed to protecting truth online. Learn how to harness these powerful tools to detect, analyze, and counter false narratives effectively.

In the heart of the Havířov region in Czechia, a dynamic group of young minds from the Comenius High School would like to shape the future in the region they call home. Havířov, an economically and socially excluded region with a long-lasting poor level of infrastructure and education, with many challenges, is also vulnerable towards disinformation. Led by a TechSoup Master Trainer Aneta Bednářová, supported by an active teacher Jana, this passionate team embarked on a project focused on combating disinformation. Their journey unfolded through creating and piloting of a peer-to-peer workshop, igniting a spark of awareness and empowerment among their peers. “Let`s empower media literacy in Havířov”, we say.

Believing that both COVID and the vaccines have been engineered as bioweapons is predicated, at least in part, on influencers and media outlets keeping on repeating the claim. The same can be said for other beliefs, such as in the QAnon conspiracy theory, centered around the claim that there is a cabal of elites that traffic children and consume their blood, or insisting that the 2020 US elections have been “stolen”, despite significant evidence to the contrary.

In a world filled with disinformation, building meaningful connections with your audience is more important than ever. This article introduces a series of three short video tutorials by our expert and master trainer, Hubert Sobecki, from the Love Does Not Exclude Association in Poland. Focusing on emotional messages, shared values, and a hopeful future, these videos offer essential communication tips for building a strong and engaged community.

Fake news is believed to be complex for various reasons. Among other things, they refer to our personality and attitude to facts, and there are various cognitive mechanisms that distort our perception. The question arises: How can we become more resilient?

Online scams are an inexhaustible topic where virtually anyone can be a victim, no matter how knowledgeable and educated they are and how many times they say "don't click" to themselves. This is true in particular when someone's health is at stake, and people can easily fall for manipulations and fake news when they are vulnerable or feel helpless. Thus, there are frequent examples of users of social networks clicking on advertisements for medicine promising to cure hundreds of diseases, various supplements for rapid weight loss within a few days, purifying the body in just a few hours, etc.

Misinformation from various platforms spreads rapidly around the world, proliferating through social media further without verification by users. Social networking platforms are designed to distribute as much content as possible to users that captures their attention. Since the human brain works in such a way that it pays more attention to negativity and fear, the content served tends to be negative. This enables social networks to influence entire populations at an unprecedented scale and speed. An MIT University study shows that fake news spreads 6 times faster than verified news. In such an environment, how can activists and officials communicate effectively, and how are they organized? How are they countering misinformation?

Digital transformation has made organizations dependent on technology for performing their work. But despite its many benefits, digitalization also brings cybercrime. According to the “Nonprofit Tech for Good Report” from 2023, 27% of NGOs around the world have suffered at least one cyberattack. NGOs collect, manage and process large amounts of data on people in sensitive situations as well as financial data from donors, which are the main reasons they are targeted by malicious actors, making the sector the third industry most targeted by hackers.

Disinformation can spread like fire in today's digital age. To mitigate the threat, the TechSoup Guide on Digital Tools for Countering Disinformation equips activists and CSOs with a range of digital tools to identify, analyze, and counter disinformation effectively.

A character assassin does not walk around with a knife or a gun, nor does he sneak around, but kicks down the door and attacks your honour and reputation, trying to destroy it at all costs. The end justifies the means. In fact, he doesn't work alone, but in a criminal organization. So he has many faces.

What is the aim of the Learning Groups?

We aim to create a safe and inspiring learning space for activists, educators, and local leaders from EU member states, who are working in an environment vulnerable to disinformation.

There is an interesting trend in the alternative media ecosystem to claim that journalists, academics, and media analysts that expose false narratives are just attacking valid opinions, labelling them misinformation, disinformation or propaganda to discredit them. Ironically, this belief is the foundation of several false narratives used to attack mainstream media and promote themselves.

Climate change is a global challenge that affects the lives of every citizen on Earth. This impact will become increasingly visible and more severe as global temperatures increase. Scientists say we need to act now. Unfortunately, disinformation prevents us from taking serious steps and continues to cast doubt on this issue. How can we counteract it?

There are certain unmissable characteristics and principles which are inherent to disinformation. One of the key genes from which disinformation streams is an attempt to undermine confidence in democracy through the weakening of democratic vital functions. That's why civil society, the main blood vessel to democracy, has been and will be under the permanent attack of disinformation.

In Makaia, we work to strengthen social development capabilities based on technology, cooperation and innovation. From the Digital Resilience project, which is based on the Hive Mind platform, we seek to create and share tools, knowledge and good habits in the digital sphere to counteract misinformation in the Latin American region.

If you have a cellphone, you use social or have email, you have surely left your data somewhere, or some platform has had access to it, including your voice. That's why, when you mention or search for shoes, the pages you visit show you lots of advertising and even different options. Or just put your name, number, ID or email in search engines, to realize the information that other people have access to just by clicking on it.

In today's world of lightning-fast information sharing through digital platforms, it's important to understand the different types of misinformation and disinformation. However, some terms used to describe them, such as "fake news" and "propaganda," can be confusing and even politically charged. It's easy to get lost in the mix and lose sight of what's true and accurate. But don't worry, we are here to help you navigate this complex landscape!

Let’s come together to learn on how to strengthen young people in being more resilient (online and offline) and improve their (as well as our own) wellbeing in the times of widespread disinformation, limited attention span and general information noise.

For the better part of the last decade, we, as citizens of the modern setting, living our lives in a world where the Internet is part of our everyday existence, are aware of disinformation. Call it fake news, propaganda, misinformation, the umbrella of disinformation covers the many aspects of this topic. A rose by any other name: name it as you wish, it’s still the same thing.

A third piece by Karol Wilczyński on disinformation around the War in Gaza. This time the author gives some tips how to take care of your own digital well-being while digesting the news.

Are you tired of falling victim to online disinformation? Explore Dren Gërguri's comprehensive three-part video tutorial series, "Tools and Tips for Verifying Online Information," and equip yourself with essential skills to discern truth from deception.

Phishing is not new, has been used to hack or infiltrate for decades. Today, everyone is trying to get in step with the technological evolution. Phishers are not an exclude from that. They are evolving their techniques too. Recently, a new tactic is in surface, and this one is based in AI-generation. Deepfake phishing is a new tactic that adds to the range of challenges we will face from now on and of which we must be very aware.

Nowadays, almost anybody can create audio or video recordings of celebrities or regular people acting and talking in ways they never would have by using simple, widely accessible artificial intelligence software. The rights of the persons whose voices and images are being appropriated will need to be more seriously protected. Big tech-companies have teamed up in a historic attempt to stop the misuse application of AI in the upcoming elections throughout the world.

The need for objectivity, neutrality and balance in journalism is a daily challenge for professional media, but one of the biggest challenges to media professionalism comes with the elections. The election process presents a challenge for the media, as it puts into focus their purpose to offer citizens access to all facts, opinions and ideas in the campaign. Journalists must also ensure access to the media so that citizens' voices can be heard beyond the words of political debate.

The population across the European Union is ageing. This is a fact that is more often looked at as a problem, rather than an opportunity. However, it is time to reverse the perspective. One of the main problems especially in countries like Bulgaria, is that opportunities are not given and sought for the active inclusion of the elderly in public life. Due to the digitalization of the world a big part of social debates has migrated to the digital space. Elderly people want to participate and be heard.

Climate change stands as one of the greatest challenges facing contemporary activism. This interdisciplinary, multi-level problem engages hundreds of thousands of activists and non-governmental organizations worldwide. In 2019, global climate movements such as Extinction Rebellion and Fridays For Future catalyzed a worldwide mobilization and unprecedented awareness of climate change. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, the scope and significance of the climate fight have gained additional urgency.

Critical thinking is the ability of an individual to recognize or evaluate and critically analyze a particular issue. Critical thinking develops from an early age, and every person acquires it on an individual basis. To determine if we have critical thinking, we must acquire skills for observation, analysis, interpretation, reflective thinking, evaluation, conclusion, explanation, problem-solving, and making the most appropriate decisions, writes Portalb.mk.

Until a few years ago, online shopping was primarily associated with tech-savvy individuals or used for specialized products. However, nowadays, online shopping has become a normal part of our daily lives. Entrusting personal banking information to the online realm no longer sounds as daunting as it did a decade ago. Although online money transfers through banks are more secure than ever, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be cautious about spending money online.

Here we are, in the center of one of the bloodiest conflicts of the century. How not to get crazy about it? How to recognize when we are manipulated? Forget about straightforward posters of World War II – most propaganda efforts nowadays are hard to recognize, hidden and, many times, spread with no intention or awareness. That is why we prepared nine simple rules to remember, which will help you to spot the propaganda.

There is a lot of propaganda materials being distributed since the outbreak of war on 7th October 2023. Both sides - Hamas and the Israeli government - are fighting not only through arms, but also through wide-spread disinformation efforts. What are the aims of disinformation? What they want to achieve?

Since 24 February 2022, when the Russian Federation started an aggressive and unjustified war against Ukraine, both the neighboring countries and the Republic of Moldova have been targets of propaganda and disinformation from the Kremlin. The waves of disinformation have forced the authorities in Chisinau to adopt various measures, including legislation, to protect Moldova's information space and its citizens from Kremlin propaganda transmitted through various channels. This article analyzes what can the authorities do to stop the spread of disinformation on the example of the Republic of Moldova.

Disinformation is a custom-made approach designed to polarize society by instilling fear of others and undermining values, democracy, and human rights, as well as the structures that support them. Civil society has been actively working for years to counter these phenomena. We combat hate speech, work with vulnerable groups, educate society, conduct fact-checking and even OSINT research. However, the problems that society faces remain almost unchanged, while the social need to take action is growing. And we – as civil society – face both new and ongoing challenges in this fight.

In this video, the Metamorphosis Foundation shows what propaganda actually is and where and how it shapes opinions even today.

The influx of media content in cyberspace sometimes makes us, as readers, seek information that is different from the rest. For the public, it is crucial to “discover” something new that brings fresh insights into certain important societal issues or questions of personal interest to individuals. However, sometimes behind the “new things”, we see bombastic headlines, spectacular claims unsupported by evidence, unconfirmed or unofficial information, as well as disinformation that can cause more harm than lead to positive change in society.

The events of the last 3 years have been a huge generator of emotions for each of us, but also an incubator for disinformation. It has taken over the media space and continues, in the presence of fear and intense emotions, to destabilize trust in factual information. Nearly two years after the invasion of Ukraine, we look at the evolution of false narratives online, and discuss how a war in the 21st century takes on some new nuances to what history has accustomed us to.

About 6 years ago, I wrote about a new 'virus' for journalism. Despite the fact that several years have passed, there is still no 'anti-virus' against deepfake, which has advanced, perfected and the last step is to simplify the production process of these hoax videos.

Propaganda and the attack on the truth have been grounded in humanity for centuries. If you read George Orwell's essay, “Review of the Spanish War”, it seems that he is talking about propaganda in the year 2022, but in fact that essay was written entirely 8 decades ago.

The concept of “think before you click” is one of the most important factors in terms of information safety. This regards everything that is offered to you on social networks, the advertisements that pop up as you read a text on a web-page, links that “invite” you to open them as you are watching a YouTube video, and the "like" button.

As the dust settles from the political storms related to elections that swept Poland and Slovakia in the fall of 2023, we dissect the disinformation tactics that played a crucial role in shaping the election outcomes. From attacking opponents with hoaxes to adopting anti-Ukrainian narratives, and even incorporating artificial intelligence to spread fabricated content, the playbook of political deception is evolving. What can we learn from that example?

The digital age is both present and future. Protecting humanity from the risks and dangers they are exposed to every time we click or share potentially misleading content are just some of the challenges facing the world today.

In both rounds of the local elections in the Republic of Moldova, held in November 2023, the pro-Kremlin media used disinformation as a political tool. Old narratives, used in previous election campaigns, were recirculated, but also combined with pro-Kremlin narratives about the war in Ukraine, unachievable election promises and even using hate speech to denigrate the opponents.

Discussing anti-Western narratives is a hot topical issue nowadays, but not a new one - just as propaganda is not an expression of our times, but has a long history behind it. I will not talk about the general course of anti-Western propaganda in Eastern Europe and especially in Romania, but about my personal experience with this field and the sometimes arduous process of countering it with honest and transparent means.

During 2023, the world has been more affected by misinformation due to the impact of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, lack of trust in the media and institutions, and the growth of social networks.

The 2015-2017 period, that brought us Brexit and Donald Trump with his “alternative facts”, also brought politicians the revelation that lying is detrimental to one’s career only if one admits to lying, when one gets caught.

Non-profit organizations certainly share a common denominator, but we can hardly generalize anything related to them. Especially when it comes to cybersecurity. NGOs vary one from another in their form, mission, area of responsibility, as well as budgets. And for a hacker, each of them plays its own role. When hearing the term “cyber attack” most people imagine a failure of all computer systems, loss of access to data and a ransom of staggering amounts. Of course, this sort of attacks happen too. However, there are also smaller-scale cyber attacks. They may not be as spectacular on the surface, but can also result in financial loss or leakage of important information. We are referring to social engineering attacks.

The number of online purchases by Macedonian citizens is increasing, and concurrently, scams targeting citizens shopping on virtual stores are proliferating. To avoid "emptying" credit cards through scams, there are several recommendations that we, as citizens, should follow when making our online purchases.

As much of the world moves online, hostile state and non-state adversaries are increasingly targeting elections to undermine public trust in democratic processes in target societies. Elections represent part of the command-and-control system of the state’s decision-making, and foreign adversaries try to meddle in election processes to stimulate political changes and decision-making.

The purpose of this community-building event was to provide and promote truth, and accuracy in information dissemination to form a collaborative network, equip the community with tools, and knowledge to combat disinformation, and share best practices to enable participants to learn from the subject matter experts to maintain informed citizenry.

Within the Digital Activism Program conducted by TechSoup and its partners in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) since 2018, a pivotal activity focusing on supporting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in being more resilient to disinformation has been underway. We believe at TechSoup that to bring about change, we must first diagnose the needs of the organizations we support and analyze the current socio-political situation in the countries where we operate. This belief is central to shaping the foundation for all future project activities.

MAKAIA had the privilege of participating in the regional event FITS Democracy 2023, where important topics regarding disinformation, polarization, technology, and innovation were discussed, all within the context of Latin America and the Colombian Caribbean.

Hive Mind Community Podcast on the Benefits of Artificial Intelligence for NGOs and Civil Society Members (CSOs).

In Poland, historians have written extensively about conspiracy theories - this fact provides an additional argument to teach about the problems that conspiracy theories cause in the era of revision of history in many European countries. What are the most bizarre conspiracy theories about the war in Ukraine that you have encountered so far?

Facebook is an attractive space for “meetings,” but too often the debate in such groups can be misleading or full of misinformation. Sometimes a group admin creates a page by pretending to be someone famous. In politically and socially emotive moments, few people check who manages the group. Group admins often grant themselves the exclusive right to add and remove content in the group and, thus, to influence the narratives and emotions in the group.

It takes just a few simple steps to determine whether we have strayed into conspiracy thinking. By understanding what characterizes such thinking, we can examine on our own, or with the help of a friend, whether we are exhibiting healthy skepticism or unwarranted suspicion. In fostering healthy skepticism, it can be helpful to have basic knowledge about the process of creating reliable information.

Climate change is a reality, the global average temperature is now approximately 1°C higher than in the preindustrial era (1880-1900). However, denialism seems to get stronger, propped up by fossil fuel corporations, conservative media, and political groups. From misrepresenting the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration to claiming that climate change is a hoax meant as part of a conspiracy to take over the world, disinformation on the topic is intensifying. We should understand it better and fight it wherever we encounter it; our future may depend on it.

Information spreads rapidly and effortlessly, and the rise of disinformation has become an alarming global phenomenon. Misleading narratives, fake news, and conspiracy theories have the power to manipulate public opinion, polarize societies, and undermine democratic processes. To combat this growing threat, Phambano Technology Development Centre NPC, DFRLab, and TechSoup Global Network have come together to organize Countering Disinformation Masterclass webinar to empower individuals with the tools to recognize, debunk, and counter disinformation.

How do different opinions appear in the media? Is there a place, a space for differences of opinion? What opportunities do we have as civilians to publish our own narratives?

Results of the study about the infodemic in Kosovo during COVID-19, published recently in the journal, “Media and Communication”, show that COVID-19 has had a great impact on people’s behavior when it comes to information.This research analyzed at how people used the media during COVID-19 and how well they could tell the difference between false or misleading information and the truth.

Polarization is a process that occurs on psychological and emotional grounds. The radicalization of groups leads to the radicalization of language on highly controversial and socially divisive topics. One of the most polarizing places on the Internet are Facebook groups (often run by the party involved in the conflict), where discussants reassert themselves, fuel a spiral of insults, ridicule, and hate speech, or even use language that dehumanizes opponents.

In this article you can find out more about the "Free January" campaign of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ)

The results and experiences of the "I would like to teach" ("Tanítanék") movement in 2022 in Hungary

Disinformation and online manipulation is a widespread issue, targeting a number of minority groups based on gender, sexual expression, race, age, and more. In light of the rise in politically driven attacks on the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, it's critical to counter disinformation in order for them to receive treatment for physical and mental health, sex reassignment procedures, and have safer spaces in schools and communities.

The internet has taken the globe by storm for the past 30 years, and it’s almost impossible to imagine the world without it. Digital privacy can be at risk without the proper online precautions in place.

As the world grapples with the increasingly pressing need to address climate change and environmental issues, online disinformation campaigns have emerged as a powerful tool in the manipulation of public perspective, inspiring scepticism, and spreading false information.

How do CSOs remain strong while fighting for equality and justice? What is the importance of mental resistance to civil society? Learn from resilient leaders and cultivate a growth mindset. Throughout history, there have been many world leaders who were once civic society activists and demonstrated exceptional mental resilience in the face of adversity.

Case study on the "Invalid question, invalid answer!" campaign of Amnesty International Hungary and the Háttér Society

A család az család — Family is family. It seems so self-explanatory, yet this phrase infuriated some while bringing hope to others. But how did this statement become a slogan of a movement for social equality in Hungary?

The analysis of information disorder, i.e., misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, should include observations on what is driving these phenomena. This current article argues that the most important driver of information manipulation since 2016 is the so-called sovereignist movement. A case study on Romania is proposed in order to highlight the evolution of local sovereignists and the reliance of their political clout on misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Google.org Launch Event is an opening event for the Capacity Building Accelerator project for the Baltic countries. The event aims to enhance confidence and assurance when implementing initiatives and measures at the community or regional levels, specifically designed to counter disinformation.

Open call for civil society organizations, independent media or journalist and digital activist of Latin America.

S radostí vás zveme na výjimečnou networkingovou akci věnovanou problematice dezinformací, kterou pro vás připravil Kampus Hybernska a Sdružení VIA za podpory Google.org a Univerzity Karlovy.

Case study on the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) #TogetherWithOneAnother campaign

In the effort to counter disinformation and improve media literacy, there are several known models for verifying if news articles accurately represent facts and events. However, nowadays, a significant part of communication is informal, for example in the form of social media posts. In such informal forums, misinformation continues to spread with the help of influencers. A new model is thus needed to analyze this type of media content.

Hybrid threats can result in war, and this has been proven by Russia, with the start of the war in Ukraine, after several years of hybrid war with Ukraine. The hybrid war includes a combination of traditional and non-traditional means with coordinated actions in the political, economic, military and information domains.

We share the investigation and educational web series created by DIP

The Hive Mind* launch in South Africa was a success. We are thankful to all our speakers who gave incredible presentations and supported the need for Hive Mind to help civil society and build digital resilience.

Across the world, the spread of disinformation is on the rise. Its volatile growth is the result of the strategic use of online disinformation, which undermines democracy and polarizes societies. While ways to combat disinformation are currently trending in the media, the existing tactics are primarily directed at fact-checkers and journalists, leaving wider civil society actors to their own devices.

Research findings show that people cannot tell the difference between false and real news. This problem also affects Kosovo society, which has a high percentage of internet access (93%). One of the signs that disinformation influences the public in Kosovo is the outcome of the Raka case which is explained below.

How eye witnessing and capturing the spur of the moment prevents disinformation

In recent investigation developed by the Detox Information Project (DIP), one of the key findings has been that sexualization is used as a way to discredit arguments presented by women in politics.

Phambano Technology Development Centre in partnership with Hive Mind invites you to our Hive Mind platform launch in South Africa.

Do you know how to identify gender disinformation in social media? Do you know which are the biases, stereotypes and hate messages?

As part of the Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD) project, we are happy to invite all interested educators residing in Europe to express the interest and take part in a 2-day onsite Training of Trainers (ToT) on Countering Disinformation and Building Positive Narratives in Warsaw, on April 19-21, 2023.

In this article, we describe the transformation of the Hungarian media system after 2010 and what civil organizations and activists can do in this centralised system. In the first half of the article, we will discuss the antidotes, while in the second half we will present the current situation.

The most important function of this highly centralised system is to effectively convey government (and pro-government) messages. It is almost impossible to find an effective and systemic antidote to this incredible volume, but it is worthwhile and important to speak out.

Artificial intelligence is changing and will change even more the way we live and work. This simulation of artificial intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans have made it possible for humans to be replaced by machines today in some fields. But what does this mean in the field of information and what could be the misuses that we should beware of?

The role of social networks in proliferation of manipulated information is already well established. One interesting aspect, that may need further attention, is the way social media fostered the globalization of false narratives allowing smaller, national media ecosystems to connect to more significant ones, to import and adapt narratives for local audiences. Interestingly, it is not Russia that is driving this phenomenon, but misinformation agents in the English-speaking countries, especially in the US and the UK.

The Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD) project is part of TechSoup Network’s Digital Activism Program.

Since 2018, the program has been offering complex support to civil society organizations (CSOs) and their staff in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Latin America and West Africa. In the area of countering disinformation, the program strives to increase their understanding of direct disinformation threats, strengthen their capacity to deal with disinformation, boost their knowledge in this field and expand their connections within the nonprofit network.

Phambano Technology Development Centre was founded in 2017.

Our aim is to provide sustainable technology-related solutions and support technology development among civil society organisations (CSO’s) that work on social justice issues across Southern Africa.

The GURT Resource Center is an innovative accelerator of democratic transformations. Since 1995, GURT is committed to capitalizing on the potential of changemakers for the benefit of Ukraine. GURT’s head office is located in Kyiv, but their team works remotely throughout Ukraine.

Cyberpsychologist Gordon Ingram explains the social and psychological consequences of the dynamics promoted by the Internet and social networks.

Learn the information you need to be aware of the risks that young people and children are exposed to when using the Internet.

Several experts give their opinion on the possible global outlook regarding disinformation. Some remain optimistic, while others believe it is a problem that has no solution.

The reasons behind the behaviors that accept and promote disinformation.

Journalists and NGOs around the world have been working for countering disinformation through institutions, organizations, and associations called "fact-checkers" (or, simply: information verifiers), which are dedicated to corroborating and verifying the veracity of information and news disseminated on digital platforms. Fact-checking as we know it today was born with Factchecker.org, a website launched in December 2003 by Brooks Jackson, a former Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, and CNN reporter.

It’s been more than 4 months since Russia escalated the war in Ukraine and we are most likely preparing for a long-term conflict with all its consequences.

The term has taken the academic discussion of philosophers, journalists political scientists but is far from an intellectual discussion. It is present in our daily life and on our social networks.

Join us for a panel discussion about the current war-time disinformation landscape and learn about ways of mitigating its harmful effects.

The war in Ukraine continues. We’ve been watching brave men and women fight for their country’s freedom and independence, while many others are organizing their lives after being forced to flee their country and settle abroad.

“NATO intervention in the Kosovo war was unjustified”. This is the narrative that the Russian and Serbian propaganda has been trying to push forward for many years.

While the war in Ukraine progresses and we are forced to watch the brave men and women fight for their country’s freedom and independence, many others are organizing their lives after being forced to flee their country.

Disinformation techniques are numerous, but all of them can fall into one of those four categories: dismiss, distort, distract, or dismay. Here is the rule of thumb that will help you recognize, predict and prepare to counter disinformation.

Information can come from various sources. Most often than not, you would pick up your smartphone or open your laptop and start scrolling through content; clicking on and sharing whatever looks interesting. However, it is good to know what is going on behind the scenes…

If you run a campaign or simply post on your social media channels messages about the current situation, you should anticipate some hateful comments. There are certain ways to deal with trolls.

Get to know an exciting joint European project that uses technology and research against online hate. From anti-vaxxers using Eriksen’s collapse at EURO 2020 to Russian propaganda on the war in Ukraine, their content is worth taking a look at.

Russia's war against Ukraine is not only taking place on the battlefields and in besieged cities, but also in the information space. This was true even before the digital age, but war propaganda has reached a new level thanks to the possibilities of the Internet. Fake news, dubious images, videos, untraceable figures, battlefield results, not to mention conspiracy theories explaining the background to the attack.

In today's digital world, information warfare is significantly more pronounced. The war in Ukraine is also taking place on several fronts of the information world, in front of video games, TikTok, and that of fact-checkers. Therefore, the focus of journalists should be on news sources, in controlling them to avoid the possibility of fraud from manipulated information.

Social media is based on continuous positive feedback from other users on user messages. The operators of these platforms have an obvious interest in ensuring that users spend as much time as possible on their platforms, and to do this they have a wealth of data about what content is likely to be attractive to users. This leads to an increasingly strong conviction of the user's own truth in a community of positive feedback, even if that truth is based on completely nonsensical or deliberately manipulative facts.

Knowledge about disinformation is more important now than ever. Critical thinking is key and it’s worth supporting it with the knowledge on how to recognize different forms of information disorder.

Dezinformacja w służbie Putina, czyli o tym jak nie wpaść w tryby machiny propagandowej: webinarium 03.03.2022 (czwartek); 18:30-19:30

Media ecosystems are used to categorizing all falsehoods as fake news. However, there are differences between the types of disinformation that abound in digital media. Sure, there are fake news, but there are also other categories of misinformation.

On January 21, DFR Lab, Techsoup and MAKAIA officially launched Hive Mind for Latin America. In the webinar called "5 concepts you should know about digital disinformation", we shared together with CIVIX Colombia some tips for identifying information and the different learning opportunities available in Hive Mind.

PERSONAL DEMOCRACY FORUM UKRAINE (PDF UA 2022) is back!

This year PDF UA will be held on March 3-4 in Kyiv in a hybrid form.

The “Future of the Elections” is the main topic this year.

TechSoup Europe joins OPORA, TransparenCEE Network and OSCE ODIHR for the fifth time and brings "tech4good", transparency, and open data topics to the Ukrainian debate about democracy and the role of civil society.

Social media platforms allow users to interact in a faster and easier manner. On one hand, this phenomenon helps establishing relationships and bonds beyond physical boundaries, leading to the exchange of information and content of all kinds. It is also not a secret that these platforms offer users tools for commercializing goods, products and services.

ESI Digital from JAAKLAC aims to promote Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE, ESI for its Spanish acronym) in relation to digital technologies to minimize online sexual risks among adolescents. The guide covers topics such as sexual and reproductive rights, digital education, internet risks in adolescence and digital safety strategies.

A humanitarian crisis has gained momentum on the Polish-Belarusian border since August 2021. Alyaksandr Lukashenko, who rules in Belarus, has encouraged thousands of people from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and African countries to come to Belarus. He has done this through a deliberate campaign to disrupt the European Union. Refugees are being forced to cross the Polish border, and those who disobey are being beaten. People at the border have no food or water. Many, including children, have died. We will explore two popular anti-refugee narratives and learn about alternative or counter narratives that are worth spreading and using in discussions.

We live in the Information Age. Our ability to synthesize and use information well is crucial to our fate and future well-being. Our Experts have been designing bespoke courses on topics that are relevant, set in a meaningful context and important. From making sense of the news online, to protecting your own or your organization’s digital safety and privacy.

Whether it's about the ominous powers that can be lizard-people in the skin of public figures, foreigners out to destroy a country, or chips implanted by vaccines against COVID-19, fake news is spreading like wildfire on the Internet. It's not too much of a problem if you think that there are aliens lurking behind the exteriors of politicians, like in a bad B-movie.

But it can be a concrete danger to one's immediate environment to believe that coronavirus vaccines are harmful to the human body.

How do we tell our fake-news believing friends or loved ones that they should think again about these absurd misconceptions?

"The Social Dilemma" movie has been made available by its makers for educators worldwide in a free, classroom-friendly, 40-minute format that can be screened during a single lesson.

Digital media strategies used by the Venezuelan government, especially propaganda, provide an ample example for the way different digital tools may be used for manipulation, public opinion disinformation and favoring a particular agenda.

30 Polish editors-in-chief have recently published a joint appeal to lift the ban on journalists working in the eastern border areas in Poland, where a state of emergency was introduced due to the prolonged migration crisis.

In this short, educational video, Oana Despa and Codruța Simina talk about manipulation and fake news. Oana is the chief editor of Buletin de București and Codruța Simina is a journalist at PressOne, an independent media project very well known in Romania. In this episode, they meet online and together try to find out how to best identify fake sites or accounts in the social network.

It is only human to defend ourselves when someone challenges us or our opinions. In case, however, when they have a clear proof that what we are saying is not based on facts, it is quite logical that we should not continue spreading false statements. If someone decides to do this, regardless of the consequences or harm this may cause, they should better watch out, as it's fact-checking time!

The large number of likes, comments or distributions does not mean that it reflects the real number of people involved in that interactivity. The online public sphere is often contaminated by Bots and Trolls.

Here are some guidelines for your greater well-being as a media consumer. Yes, we are all media consumers. You got that correctly. In the following video, you will find a number of useful tips and tricks that will aid your digital transformation from a regular media consumer to a Media Literacy Expert!

We are living in an era when we can see or hear things that a person in fact did not say. You can’t imagine what Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, is declaring in this video! Check it out and see if it's truth or fiction...

No matter how much the media strive to capture reality, and no matter how advanced the technology, the world portrayed in the media, from news reports to science fiction and fantasy films, is always a set, constructed, selected reality. The media, on the other hand, not only filters reality, but also shapes and reflects it. It shapes attitudes, raises or lowers themes, positions and characters. The media has never been a one-way communication process in the sense that the communicator - producer and editor of the content - both can never be sure whether the message means the same to the audience as it does to him. Each and every member of the audience, has a wide range of the freedom of interpretation in the reception of media content, which is often based on their own life experiences, current situation, cognitive abilities and limitations, and complex information environment.

The case discussed in the article clearly shows that manipulating pictures has become an intentional propaganda tool, aiming to distort the truth. Any such cheapfakes are dangerous because they disfigure the reality, making people to believe something far from true.

These days, verifying information that we receive has become a must. By not verifying, then, we are putting ourselves at an outright risk of getting manipulated. So, it is more essential than ever, to put a big question mark at the end of every online message, especially when encountered on social media. It is crucial to keep that question mark until we can fully verify and eliminate doubts about sources' authenticity.

According to Peter Ditto from the University of California, one of the many reasons why people fall prey to the influence of misinformation lies in so-called motivated reasoning (MR).

If you’re still wondering why you need to be media literate (a skill that is in high demand today more than ever!), you’ll find the answers to this question in this short video. We have singled out the five most important reasons that will help you decide to start studying the media and their messages. The process is relatively straightforward, and you will gain all the necessary skills by simply following our channel. Let’s go!

In this podcast episode, you will hear Jakub Górnicki talking to Tomáš Kriššák about the Project HOPE, within which a set of tools in the form of an online game was designed to help people tackle negative consequences of the Internet and the social media, including cyber-bullying and propaganda.

Critical thinking is a buzzword that we hear almost every day. Especially in times of false information and the infodemic that is surrounding us on an everyday basis. And even though we meet with this term regularly, it is still not clear to everyone what it actually means. A brief characteristic of critical thinking is that it is the ability to form one's own opinion based on acquired knowledge, experience, not only from one's knowledge, but also from other people.

Teenagers from Dream Factory acting studio created 8 raising awareness videos focusing on how to recognize Fake News, Deep News and how to behave when someone spreads misinformation, or simply is being abusive online.

Major dangers and media manipulation threats in the age of disinformation

A simple guide through the media jungle for senior citizens.

A three-part animated video series on disinformation

Only by mobilizing at the grassroots can democracies counter disinformation. It’s time to vaccinate citizens against the poison of digital warfare.

Building resilience against disinformation.

Success stories at the grassroot level.

Due to the ongoing pandemic the schools are closed, and do you, most likely have the privilege of working from home? Well, in this case, you probably have never been so present in your child’s “school life”, even if it’s currently limited to e-learning.

The advancement of technology brings up constant “innovations” in the areas of misinformation and manipulation. Recently, and more frequently, a new form of manipulation has resurfaced under the name ‘cheapfakes’ and is currently a subject to research and discussions.

We'd like to invite young people associated in non-governmental organizations, informal groups, dialogue bodies and activists acting on their own to free online training sessions on disinformation, recognizing it, preventing and counteracting its negative effects. The training is addressed to all those who understand the importance of disinformation in public life, who would like to learn more about the ways it works, get specific tools of recognition and methods of dealing with it. We also invite people who actively participate in public life (also at the local level) and therefore are most vulnerable to disinformation actions aimed at undermining their credibility and the trust of public opinion, necessary to effectively fight for the public good or the interests of the groups they represent.

In November young people, including youth councillors, members of school authorities, young social leaders, activists and NGO activists will be able to take part in webinars, during which they will organize and deepen their knowledge in the area of "disinformation". The webinars conducted by Anna Skocz will present ways to prevent disinformation and responsible use of media.

On December the 2nd, journalists of traditional and civic media, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations will be able to take part in a webinar, where they will learn about disinformation techniques applied to non-governmental organizations actively participating in public life and ways to counteract the negative effects of these actions. The webinar conducted by Katarzyna Sadło is an answer to the growing number of information activities aimed at undermining the credibility of NGOs in the eyes of public opinion.

We invite non-governmental organizations for a free online training on disinformation against non-governmental organizations, its recognition, prevention and counteracting negative effects. The training is addressed to all organizations, especially those actively participating in public life, i.e. the most vulnerable to disinformation actions aimed at undermining their credibility and public trust, necessary to effectively fight for the public good or interests of the groups they represent.

On the 7th of November 2020 educators and educators, teachers, educational activists, trade unionists, leaders of formal and informal grassroots groups, adult students, parents, human rights activists will be able to take part in a webinar on disinformational narratives.

Recruitment for free online workshops in media education just started

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Guides, checklists, FAQs, reading lists and a debunk database