Myk (Mykola) Mowczan’s Post

🌍 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐥: 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🌍 The recent revelations about the inner workings of Russian disinformation in the Central African Republic underscore a pressing issue that resonates across the Sahel. In a region already grappling with security challenges, economic instability, and fragile governance, disinformation acts as a potent weapon—amplifying divisions, undermining trust in institutions, and destabilizing societies. The Sahel’s complex socio-political fabric makes it a fertile ground for such campaigns, which strategically exploit grievances to sway public opinion and influence political outcomes. This is not just a local issue; the geopolitical implications are vast, with external actors leveraging disinformation to advance their own agendas at the expense of regional stability and sovereignty. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐚 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 Disinformation thrives in the absence of coordinated responses. A well-defined strategy to counter this threat in the Sahel is crucial for several reasons: 🛡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: Ensuring that elections and public discourse are not manipulated by malicious narratives. 🌐 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Mitigating the destabilizing effects of false information that fuels conflict and division. 🎯 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: Supporting independent journalism and fostering a media ecosystem that prioritizes truth and transparency. 𝐀 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 To effectively combat disinformation, we must consider a multi-faceted strategy that: Enhances 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 to empower citizens to discern fact from fiction. Builds robust 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭-𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 across the region. Encourages 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 to hold disinformation actors accountable. Supports local journalists and ensures their safety in reporting the truth. This battle requires collaboration between governments, civil society, tech platforms, and international partners. African nations in the Sahel must lead this effort, supported by global allies committed to defending truth, stability, and democratic integrity. The stakes are high, but by standing united and proactive, we can safeguard the Sahel’s future from the corrosive impact of disinformation. #Sahel #Disinformation #MediaLiteracy #RegionalStability #AfricaPolicy https://lnkd.in/eQb6PiHt

Senior TASS executive says Global South should have access to credible news According to Mikhail Gusman, news media across the Global South should develop common mechanisms to combat disinformation SÃO PAULO, November 11/ News media in the countries that are interested in cooperation with the Global South should provide unbiased and credible content, TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman said at a Global South media conference in Brazil. "In order to create a positive and unbiased media environment among the countries of the Global South, news media must stand by the vector toward balanced and truthful information" he told the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in the city of Sao Paulo. According to the TASS executive, news media across the Global South should develop common mechanisms to combat disinformation. "TASS is always ready to share with colleagues the best editorial practices when it comes to unmasking fake news and fact-checking," Gusman said. He also noted that at a time when journalists regularly have their rights violated, media organizations should defend the right to do their professional duty. Gusman quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying that news media in BRICS and Global South countries can successfully work together as the countries have similar views on many issues. Ahead of the forum’s opening, executives from the participating media outlets met with Hu Heping, executive deputy head of the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, who is also China’s culture and tourism minister. In his speech at the meeting, Gusman mentioned that at the TASS-organized BRICS Media Summit in September, more than 100 Russian and foreign participants discussed shaping common approaches to combating fake news. The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum is taking place from November 11-13. Co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the Brazil Communication Company, also known as EBC, the forum has the following theme: "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South." Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulatory messages to the forum’s participants. #business #finance #financialservices

!!Publication news!! Yesterday the Internet Policy Review published our paper on the effects of EU’s geo-block on Russian propaganda outlets, following the full-scale invasion. Thanks again to the wonderful duo Marijn ten Thij and Amir Fard for the collaboration. While there is a large and important debate on the relationship between censorship and liberal values, the paper tries to understand how modern-day censorship works in an increasingly loosely connected online space. Following the invasion of Ukraine, the EU (fearing the subversive effects of Russian information warfare) banned key propaganda channels. The paper explores how online fringe communities - a favoured target audience of the Kremlin - in Western Europe shared news content from RT and Sputnik before and after the enforcement of the ban. While we find that overall sharing collapsed (even controlling for mirror-sites) among communities, we also found that the shared content from alternative platforms (telegram) became prone to echo anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian disinformation content. While censorship is effective at banning unwanted content, the circumvention strategy that both alternative platforms and cross-platform sharing provide erodes this effectiveness. As we are seeing increasingly fierce competition between a growing multitude of alternative platforms, the likelihood of pushing such content over to these is as likely to increase. The article is open-access and can be read here. https://lnkd.in/dEbFprk5

"Russia's International Media Poisons Minds" (a look back)- Russian state media "operates under the direction of unchecked authoritarian political power and is therefore an entirely different enterprise. Accordingly, it should not be understood as a news outlet, but instead seen for what it is: a weaponized media instrument." 👉 Russia's large and growing investment in international media is not about winning hearts through "unbiased coverage of events in Russia". Instead, the Kremlin is focused on poisoning minds through an insidious mix of information designed to muddy the media waters and disorient international audiences. 👉 The Kremlin seizes opportunities to shape narratives and twist public understanding in a freewheeling online world in which audiences do not have time or motivation to authenticate twisted information and outright fakery. 👉 Outside Russia, where Kremlin censorship cannot eliminate alternative views, the aim of Russia's media is different. In settings with media pluralism, Russia's goal is not to persuade audiences of the virtues of Kremlin policy but to create confusion and raise doubts about the facts of a given issue. Robert Orttung & I, ten years ago this month, published this article and, since that time, it's fair to say the situation has grown more acute https://lnkd.in/eyHr73sE

📰 The Role of "Alternative Media" in Promoting Pro-Kremlin Narratives At first glance, "alternative Russian media" might seem like champions of free speech, standing against mainstream narratives. However, a closer look reveals that many of these outlets are deeply entrenched in Russia's disinformation strategies, serving as tools to amplify Kremlin messaging under the guise of independent journalism. 🕵️♂️ These platforms often echo narratives aligned with Moscow’s geopolitical goals. For instance, they consistently blame the West for global crises, claiming NATO expansion—not Russian aggression—caused the war in Ukraine. They frame Russia as a defender of a “multipolar world” 🌏 against alleged Western “hegemony.” Another common tactic is portraying Russia as a victim of global “Russophobia” 😡, painting sanctions as an attack on its sovereignty while ignoring Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. Conspiracies about U.S. biolabs 🧪 in Ukraine or staged chemical attacks ☣️ are also staple themes, providing Moscow with plausible deniability for its actions. These "alternative" outlets don’t work in isolation. They collaborate with Kremlin-funded media like RT and Sputnik, benefiting from a network of bots 🤖 and troll farms that amplify their reach online. They often tailor their messages to resonate with specific audiences: in Europe, they emphasize energy insecurity 💡 caused by sanctions on Russia, while in the Global South, they exploit anti-colonial rhetoric to gain sympathy. These platforms also recruit “independent voices,” co-opting Western journalists, influencers, or academics whose anti-Western views align with Kremlin objectives, giving their disinformation a veneer of credibility. ✍️ One telling example is how Russian-backed media amplified conspiracy theories about chemical attacks in Syria, labeling them as “staged” by Western-backed groups. This tactic has now resurfaced in narratives about Ukraine, where strikes on civilians are framed as “provocations” by Kyiv. The parallels are clear: these narratives shift blame, justify Russian aggression, and erode trust in international institutions. The alignment of "alternative media" with Kremlin talking points is no coincidence. By amplifying Russia’s messaging, these outlets legitimize its policies, from the annexation of Crimea to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They sow division in Western societies, portraying sanctions as harmful to ordinary Europeans and fostering political polarization. At the same time, they deflect accountability for Russia’s war crimes and authoritarian practices by shifting blame to the West. ⚖️ Despite claiming independence, these platforms are tools of manipulation. Cloaked in dissent, their narratives aim to destabilize democracies and justify Kremlin actions. Let’s not be deceived—these “alternative media” are anything but independent. #MediaManipulation #Kremlin #InformationWarfare #Propaganda #DigitalManipulation #Russia #FakeNews #Putin

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. On this day, Reporters without Borders has prepared its annual report with the Freedom of Expression Index in 2024. 🇺🇦 This year, Ukraine ranks 61st (which is 18 points higher than last year: in 2023, Ukraine ranked 79th). “One of the Index’s surprises is the 18-place jump by Ukraine (61st) due to improvements in both its security indicator – fewer journalists killed – and its political one. Although the rule of law has not been enforced over the entire country since the Russian invasion, which has prevented the Ukrainian authorities from guaranteeing press freedom in the occupied territories, political interference in free Ukraine has fallen. This kind of pressure is limited by the fact that the media denounce it,” the report's narrative reads. 📌 There are no independent media in the temporarily occupied territories: the occupation authorities persecute free journalists, appropriate or destroy editorial offices and equipment. Independent media mostly flee from the territories occupied by Russia and work with their audience in exile, they continue to inform the population from a distance despite the blocking and powerful propaganda resources. Here is our team's report on how the Russians are waging an information war against Ukrainians under occupation: 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Utqrzk A full report on the situation with press freedom in Ukraine can be found here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dxQjYxBW

The ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine has taken a severe toll on local media, particularly in frontline regions. Newsrooms across the country have been damaged or completely destroyed by shelling, creating significant obstacles to informing local communities. As the President of National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, I've witnessed firsthand the resilience of our media professionals. Editors like Oleksii Pasiuha of Vorskla newspaper in Velyka Pysarivka continue their work despite their offices being in ruins. Kostiantyn Hryhorenko from Obrii Iziumshchyny in Izium and Svitlana Karpenko from Trudova Slava in Orikhiv show remarkable dedication, delivering news to their communities even under the most challenging circumstances. These attacks are not just on buildings; they're assaults on Ukraine's independent information space and cultural heritage. The destruction of the Factor Druk and Vivat printing houses in Kharkiv is a prime example of this targeted aggression against our intellectual and cultural assets. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian journalists continue their crucial mission. Through our network of Journalists' Solidarity Centers, we're providing vital support, including equipment and emergency financial assistance. I call on the international community to recognize these attacks for what they are - attempts to silence independent voices - and to increase support for Ukrainian media. The resilience of our journalists in the face of such adversity is a testament to the power and importance of free press. International Federation of Journalists European Federation of Journalists UNESCO Committee to Protect Journalists Free Press Unlimited https://lnkd.in/gqTcCgn2

ISRAEL IS THE ONLY DEMOCRACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST (So it claims) Israel to close Al Jazeera news network in the country Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the operations of Qatar-based news network Al Jazeera will be closed in the country. Netanyahu said in a post on X: “The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel.” The decision comes a month after Netanyahu vowed to shut down the television channel in the country following the passage of a sweeping law allowing the government to ban foreign networks perceived as posing a threat to national security. Netanyahu said on X in early April that he intended “to act immediately in accordance with the new law” to stop the outlet’s activity in the country. Netanyahu’s government has long complained about Al Jazeera’s operations, alleging anti-Israeli bias. In response, Al Jazeera – which has been producing on the ground reporting of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza – slammed the decision and vowed to continue its “bold and professional coverage.” The new law gave the prime minister and communications minister authority to order the temporary closure of foreign networks operating in Israel – powers that rights groups say could have far-reaching implications on international media coverage of the war in Gaza. Rights groups condemned the move at the time, with Human Rights Watch calling it “an alarming escalation,” while the Committee to Protect Journalists said it was “deeply concerned” by the new legislation. The move comes as negotiators met in Cairo on Saturday, in a bid to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. Negotiators have made progress on the technical aspects of a potential deal, but two Israeli sources say it could take a week to finalize the deal itself. Qatar has played a key role in ceasefire negotiations in the on-going war. This is a developing story and will be updated. CNN’s Simone McCarthy, Kareem Khadder, Eyad Kourdi and Hamdi Alkhshali contributed reporting. Comment: What is Israel afraid of being exposed? If they are not doing anything wrong like engaged in Genocide and war crimes then what is the problem.

Delighted to announce that my book with Gordon Neil Ramsay is just out: https://lnkd.in/ecbQmWFJ. Seeing Red breaks new ground in investigating the scope of Russian disinformation, arguing that key politicians and media outlets in the United States have facilitated the dissemination of Russian propaganda. From the 2020 elections to the Capitol Insurrection to the war in Ukraine, we examine the penetration of Kremlin strategic narratives that attempt to project Russian power, blame NATO for Russian aggression, and attack democracy via the U.S. news. Despite knowledge of the risk and resourceful work on tracking down Russian propaganda in the United States, the problem of foreign disinformation continues to this day. As we argue, this is in part due to exploitation of the American tradition of free speech and the open nature of the U.S. media system. Yet, the much more dangerous menace lies not in how foreign governments attempt to manipulate the media, but in how our media system has been compromised by domestic actors who follow an authoritarian playbook and promote anti-democratic narratives. When it is hard to tell the difference between what the Russians are saying about the Democrats and how Fox News is covering Joe Biden, it is time to realize that some American outlets have crossed the line from news to propaganda. Thanks to the many many people and institutions who supported this work, including Philip Merrill College of Journalism - University of Maryland, University of Akureyri, the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, Joseph Barrow, Lucy Dalglish, Danielle Deibler, Olya Gurevich, Abby Jones, David Knickerbocker, Doowan Lee, Wei-Ping Li, Rafael Lorente, Gillian McCormack, John McQuaid, Wendy Moe, Sean Mussenden, William Pomeranz, Philip Resnik, Tom Rosenstiel, David Rubenstein, Regina Smyth, Christopher Walker, Derek Willis

Preparedness and information resilience should be discussed also in the context of US upcoming elections context. Herewith an article shared to me by a very worried expert: https://lnkd.in/dYc7e346 Join the European dialogue 23.10. - see below.