Russia: manipulation of information and the EU’s response

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 01.12.15
Publication Date 01/12/2015
Content Type

Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine has unleashed a major disinformation campaign in the Russian news media. Manipulation of information against Ukraine was identified by some analysts as part of Russia’s wider ‘information warfare’ against the West. Russia is investing heavily in media outlets that are targeting foreign audiences, notably radio service Sputnik and international broadcaster RT (formerly known as Russia Today).

Proposals to counter Russian disinformation are being discussed at EU level. On 19–20 March 2015, the European Council adopted conclusions inviting to prepare an action plan on strategic communication by June 2015 and to establish a communication team. The EU Task Force countering the Russian disinformation campaign started work in September 2015. Its aim is to work on developing communication products and media campaigns that focus on explaining EU policies in the Eastern neighbourhood region. It will also monitor the media.

In its resolution of 10 June 2015 the European Parliament calls on the Commission 'to earmark without delay adequate funding for concrete projects aimed at countering Russian propaganda and misinformation within the EU and abroad'. In two resolutions of 12 March 2015 and of 15 January 2015 MEPs reiterate 'the EEAS and the Commission to present an action plan with concrete measures to counter the Russian propaganda'.

This Keysource is a collection of documents and publications relating to the Russia’s manipulation of information and the EU’s response.

Written by Ilze Eglite.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://epthinktank.eu/2015/12/01/russia-manipulation-of-information-and-the-eus-response/
Related Links
Politico, 01.12.15: BBC World Service set for fightback in ‘information war’ http://www.politico.eu/article/bbc-world-service-set-for-fightback-in-information-war/
ESO: Background information: EU diplomats launch Russia 'myth-busting' weekly http://www.europeansources.info/showDoc?ID=1208276
ESO: Background information: Dutch-Polish 'content factory' to counter Russian propaganda http://www.europeansources.info/record/dutch-polish-content-factory-to-counter-russian-propaganda/
ESO: Background information: Russia’s info-war: theory and practice http://www.europeansources.info/record/russias-info-war-theory-and-practice/
EUObserver, 10.12.15: Western Balkans: EU blindspot on Russian propaganda https://euobserver.com/foreign/131472
EurActiv, 28.01.16: Russia steps up propaganda war with the West, Germany http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/russia-steps-propaganda-war-west-germany-321391
Spiegel Online International, 05.02.16: The Hybrid War: Russia's Propaganda Campaign Against Germany http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/putin-wages-hybrid-war-on-germany-and-west-a-1075483.html
The Guardian, 05.03.16: Europe’s new cold war turns digital as Vladimir Putin expands media offensive http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/05/europe-vladimir-putin-russia-social-media-trolls
The Guardian, 05.03.16: Russia ‘stoking refugee unrest in Germany to topple Angela Merkel’ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/05/russia-refugee-germany-angela-merkel-migration-vladimir-putin

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