Disinformation
With the growing role of social media platforms and the development of artificial intelligence, the potential for the spread of disinformation is rapidly increasing. Disinformation has the greatest impact in times of crisis, uncertainty and general dissatisfaction, because it operates at an emotional level and influences people's opinions and decisions. Its purpose is to create confusion, provoke anger and fear, and damage the reputation of individuals, organisations, institutions and states. The spread of false information is most pronounced in times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disinformation is used to amplify differences in public debate or even to influence political processes. It poses a threat to democracies, as it aims to undermine trust in state institutions and the media, thereby weakening confidence in democracy by hindering people's ability to make decisions based on credible data and information.
Become a digital detective. Stop disinformation.
Recognising disinformation and techniques for manipulating content
Take this quiz to see how well you can identify misleading information and content manipulation. The quiz is designed to develop critical thinking and encourage the verification of information using reliable sources.
What is disinformation?
Disinformation is verifiably false or misleading information that is created, presented and disseminated with the intention of deceiving or securing economic or political gain and that may cause public harm.
The following do not constitute disinformation:
- Misleading advertising;
- Reporting errors;
- Satire and parody;
- Clearly labelled opinion news and commentary.
Foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) refers to attempts from abroad to interfere with the public opinion of a state through false information. In such cases, foreign states or individuals intentionally spread disinformation in order to manipulate political processes, elections or the general social dynamics of a particular state. This involves deliberate, manipulative and coordinated actions by states or their proxies, carried out within the territory of their home state or outside it.
FIMI poses a threat to national security and is considered a hybrid threat. Hybrid threats combine activities carried out in a coordinated manner by state and non-state actors, often blending conventional and unconventional methods, while remaining below the threshold for the formal declaration of war. Their aim is not only to cause direct harm and exploit vulnerabilities, but also to destabilise society and create ambiguity that obstructs decision-making. They can create complex security challenges and therefore require a comprehensive approach to defence and response.
Examples of hybrid threats:
- Information manipulation (disinformation campaigns aimed at creating and increasing divisions within society),
- Cyberattacks (sabotage of critical infrastructure, for example electricity distribution operators, cyberattacks on hospital information systems),
- Economic influence or coercion (the exploitation of Europe's dependence on Russian oil and gas, threats to cut off gas supply to Europe),
- Covert political manoeuvring (bribery of politicians, directing refugee and migration flows),
- Coercive diplomacy (the cancellation of free trade agreements between states or other bilateral agreements, the suspension of visa-free transit for citizens of certain countries),
- Threats of military force (the use of paramilitary units, military exercises by one state near the border of another).
Key elements of disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)
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Deception
Facts are distorted.
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Intent
It involves manipulative deception.
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Gain, interest
Those who create and spread disinformation know exactly why they do so and what they seek to achieve.
Misinformation is unintentionally incorrect information that someone shares in good faith without harmful intent, but which may nevertheless cause harm.
Malinformation refers to information that is based on facts but taken out of context and presented in a one-sided way. As a result, it is misleading and therefore potentially harmful.
The primary purpose of misinformation and information taken out of context is not intentional deception.
Examples:
- Sensationalist headlines designed to encourage clicks
- Satire or parody
- A hoax
Difference between hate speech and disinformation
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Hate speech
A criminal offence involving the public incitement of hatred, violence or intolerance against an individual or a group of people.
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Disinformation and FIMI
These do not constitute illegal acts or criminal offences, but they are harmful.
How to recognise disinformation
Disinformation is usually emotionally charged, as its purpose is to create divisions in societies and fuel fear. It spreads faster than it can be controlled, so it is important not to contribute to its spread.
Think before you share
Awareness of disinformation and of the fact that anyone can be its target is the first step towards protection.
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Check the source
Examine the website, check its mission and look for contact details. Who is financing the website? Does the information originate from news aggregators? Check whether the website is original or whether the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) imitates the names of well-known news sources. Pay attention to quoted "experts" – are they real people at all?
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Read the entire article
Headlines can be misleading – do the headline and the content match, or is it merely clickbait? What is the article actually about?
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Check the author
Check who the author of the article is. Can they be trusted? Are they even a real person?
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Check the language
If the text contains grammatical errors and unusual phrases, it is likely that it has been machine-translated or machine-generated.
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Additional sources
Check whether the news is also reported by other reliable sources.
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Check photographs and videos
Photographs and videos have a strong impact and are easy to manipulate. In some cases, it is already apparent to the naked eye that images or videos have been manipulated or altered. Using reverse image search, you can also determine whether the material is older and has been reused in a different context.
Reverse image search is available through tools such as Tineye and Google Images. Truepic also detects possible alterations in videos, while the InVID Verification plugin can help identify the original publication date, location or preview images for videos and photographs. The YouTube Data Viewer tool shows when a video was first uploaded.
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Check the date
Republished stories are not necessarily current. Check when the event was reported elsewhere or look at the dates of comments. The story may distort reality – for example, older events may be presented out of context.
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Is it a joke?
If a story seems too unusual, it may be a joke.
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Be aware of bias
Consider whether your beliefs influence your judgement.
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Ask experts
Verify the story on fact-checking portals such as:
- NE/JA razbijalka mitov – a portal of the Slovenian Press Agency
- Razkrinkavanje
- Adria Digital Media Observatory (ADMO) (in English) – a Croatian-Slovenian hub for combating disinformation,
- EUvsDisinfo (v angleščini)
- European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) (in English) – an observatory that brings together fact-checkers, academics and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate. It encourages active engagement with media organisations, media literacy experts and provides support to policymakers, helping coordinate measures in the fight against disinformation.
How to recognise content manipulation
Techniques of information manipulation are used to spread false or misleading information in order to influence opinions and decisions. Recognising these techniques is essential for building resilience to disinformation.
There are many different tactics used to manipulate information. They often do not rely on obvious lies, but rather on half-truths, selective emphasis and emotions. They use sophisticated and well-tested communication and psychological techniques that exploit human psychology.
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Distortion
Content is taken out of context so that it acquires a different, often misleading meaning.
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Cherry-picking
Only content that supports a particular position is highlighted, while other arguments are omitted.
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Appeal to emotions
Facts are replaced by emotional appeals. Emotionally charged content that provokes anger or fear spreads more quickly.
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False dilemma
The choice is artificially narrowed. Two options are presented even though there are more. One option is portrayed as the better one.
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Ad hominem attack
Instead of addressing a counterargument, attention is shifted to the person and their alleged shortcomings.
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Polarisation
Division into two opposing groups or positions, which may reinforce prejudice.
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Fearmongering
Deliberately provoking fear and creating confusion or uncertainty. Triggering an emotional rather than a rational response.
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Whataboutism
Avoiding discussion by shifting attention from the main issue to another topic, often through a counter-accusation.
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Scapegoating
An individual or group is singled out and unfairly blamed for a problem.
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Slippery slope
Warning that a first step will inevitably lead to very serious consequences.
Deepfake
A deepfake is a technology that enables the creation of convincing yet entirely fabricated images or videos of events that never actually took place, as well as the resulting content itself.
The English term deepfake is a compound of deep learning and fake. The technology began appearing online in 2017 and is developing rapidly, and it can be seen as the 21st century equivalent of Photoshop. Deepfake technology allows images and videos to be manipulated to such an extent that it is almost impossible to detect with the naked eye.
Deepfake technology allows anyone to create images or videos by combining existing footage so that a person appears to say or do things they never actually said or did. In many cases, all that is needed is a moderately powerful personal computer.
See an example of how realistic deepfakes can be and how to recognise deepfakes .
How deepfakes can affect people
In today's society, most people obtain information about the world and form opinions based on content found online. Therefore, anyone capable of creating deepfakes can publish false information and influence large audiences in ways that support their personal plans or objectives. Disinformation based on deepfakes can cause significant harm to victims – whether individuals, institutions, organisations or states – on a small, medium or large scale.
At a smaller or medium scale, fake videos purportedly showing a friend or relative asking for a large sum of money in an emergency could be used to deceive unsuspecting victims into sending money. The vast majority of deepfake images and videos exploit images of women to publicly humiliate or discredit them, and images of children to distribute child pornography.
On a large scale, fake videos of world leaders making invented statements could provoke unrest, violence and even war.
How to recognise deepfakes
The existence of images and videos created using deepfake technology does not mean that no image or video can be trusted. It is important to recognise that deepfake technology will most likely continue to develop and become even more widespread in the coming years. For this reason, it is necessary to remain vigilant and critical when searching for information online, particularly when it comes to images or videos that ask you to send money to a particular account, disclose personal data, show explicit footage involving people you know, or depict well-known individuals making unusual or extreme claims.
How the EU counters disinformation
The European Union is combating the spread of disinformation in order to protect its values and democracy.
Since its establishment in March 2019 ahead of the European elections, Slovenia has been actively involved in the Rapid Alert System (RAS) for disinformation. The RAS operates under the auspices of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and is a key component of the European Union's comprehensive approach to tackling disinformation.
The aim of the RAS is to:
- Provide real-time alerts about FIMI and disinformation threats;
- Enable easier and faster exchange of data and assessments on FIMI and disinformation campaigns between the EU and its Member States;
- Strengthen cooperation and coordinated responses to FIMI and disinformation;
- Raise awareness and empower citizens by promoting media literacy and supporting independent fact-checkers.
The European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) was adopted in 2020. It focuses on three areas:
- Protecting the integrity of elections and promoting democratic participation;
- Strengthening media freedom and media pluralism;
- Countering disinformation.
It also develops guidelines on the obligations and responsibilities of online platforms in the fight against disinformation.
The Action Plan against Disinformation aims to strengthen the EU's capacity and cooperation in tackling disinformation.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) regulates the operation of online intermediaries and platforms such as online marketplaces, social networks, content-sharing platforms, app stores, and online travel and accommodation platforms. Its main objective is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and limit the spread of disinformation. It ensures user safety, protects fundamental rights, and creates a fair and open environment for online platforms.
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) introduces new rules designed to better protect editorial independence and media pluralism, ensure transparency and fairness, and improve cooperation between media authorities through the new European Board for Media Services. The Act includes the most extensive safeguards to date to enable journalists to work freely and safely. The new rules will also make it easier for both public and private media to operate across borders within the EU internal market without undue pressure, while taking into account the digital transformation of the media landscape.
The Artificial Intelligence Act establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in the EU. Its aim is to ensure the safety of products and services involving AI, compliance with existing legislation, legal certainty and predictability, stronger governance, effective enforcement and supervision, and the development of a single market for lawful, safe and trustworthy AI solutions.
The 2018 Code of Practice on Disinformation was the first example worldwide of industry actors voluntarily agreeing on self-regulatory standards to combat disinformation.
The Strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation was signed on 16 June 2022 and currently has 44 signatories, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, Vimeo and Adobe.
- Start 15. 3. 2024
- Institution Government Communication Office
- Status Underway
Fighting disinformation
The publication Fighting disinformation – How journalists and other actors can contribute to identifying disinformation and limiting the harm caused by disinformation campaigns (Boj proti dezinformacijam: kako lahko novinarji in drugi akterji prispevajo k prepoznavanju dezinformacij in omejevanju škode dezinformacijskih kampanj) contains key legal and professional definitions of disinformation. It explains how disinformation spreads, how it can influence elections and how it can be recognised. It is primarily intended for journalists, but the procedures and tools it presents to help identify disinformation can be used by anyone.
Disinformation review
The weekly newsletter of the EUvsDisinfo website provides an overview of the most prominent attempts at foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) spread by external actors in the European Union and its neighbourhood. The newsletter is translated into Slovenian each week.
E-training
As part of the Strengthening the Digital Knowledge and Skills of Public Employees programme, the Administration Academy offers the e-training course entitled The Phenomenon of Disinformation, prepared in cooperation with the Government Communication Office. The training aims to raise awareness of the phenomenon of disinformation, its impact and consequences for opinions, everyday life and work, and to present measures for protection against it.
Listen to episodes of the GOVSI podcast on disinformation:
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GOVSI Podcast: No Democracy Without Reliable Information
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Elections – The Largest Civic Operation in the Country
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On Disinformation in Russia's War against Ukraine
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GOVSI Podcast: Disinformation – A Global Challenge Requiring a European Response
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GOVSI Podcast: »Democracy is under attack«
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GOVSI Podcast: Let's stop disinformation
Hybrid threats
Hybrid threats involve the interconnected, complex and unpredictable, highly integrated use of a covert or overt combination of traditional and irregular military, civilian and criminal methods and means, directed and carried out by state and non-state actors. They can create complex security challenges and therefore require a comprehensive approach to defence and response.
EUvsDisinfo news and analysis
The EUvsDisinfo website publishes content that helps explain disinformation and ways of responding to it. The EUvsDisinfo website is managed by the East StratCom Task Force, which forms part of the European External Action Service (EEAS). Some of the news, articles and analyses have been translated into Slovenian and published.