We must confront disinformation and propaganda
Director of the Government Communication Office Petra Bezjak Cirman emphasised in her opening remarks that we live in a world where physical borders are clear and define states, laws and identities, while such borders do not exist online. | Author Government Communication Office
In her opening remarks, Director Bezjak Cirman emphasised that we live in a world where physical borders are clear and define states, laws and identities, while such borders do not exist online.
"The internet is borderless – information, ideas and movements cross countries freely within seconds. This contrast between the limited physical world and the borderless digital world is reshaping politics, culture and power," said the Director, adding that governments around the world face the challenge of protecting the public sphere from disinformation spreading through digital networks.
She also warned that Slovenia faces similar risks to other European countries in light of the upcoming parliamentary elections. "We have seen the power of false information spread through fake accounts on social media in Romania. I am grateful to our Ukrainian friends for bringing the two guests to Ljubljana who will help us understand how Russian disinformation operates, how it shapes our society and what we can do to protect our democracy."
Mykhailo Dankanych and Yevhenii Malyk presented concrete examples of Russian disinformation campaigns in the Western Balkans and outlined common strategies for identifying and exposing them. Through a powerful personal testimony, Yevhenii Malyk described the practices of psychological influence and manipulation used by the Russian military and propaganda for brainwashing both on the battlefield and in the media.
The aim of the Break the Fake event was to raise international awareness of the consequences of Russian disinformation campaigns and their impact on society, and to support a coordinated response by democratic countries in protecting truth, journalistic ethics and information security. The event was intended for experts in information warfare, journalists, diplomats, young people, politicians, representatives of civil society and all those who face the challenge of false information in the digital environment on a daily basis.
The partners and co-organisers of the event were the Embassy of Ukraine in Slovenia, the Government Communication Office and the Centre for European Perspective. The event was hosted by the Representation of the European Commission in Slovenia.