In today’s tense geopolitical context, certain countries seek to sway other states’ policies in their favour or destabilise their societies. This activity is known as foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). FIMI often involves flooding an information space with disinformation or factual content that has been manipulated to sway a targeted audience. Journalists, whose role is to provide the public with reliable information, should know how to recognise signs of FIMI so they can help counter it.
Foreign interference affects every region of the world. FIMI actors roll out coordinated, covert disinformation and propaganda campaigns to sow doubt and undermine trust in institutions. Here are some tips and tricks for assessing whether a story, piece of content, outlet, press invitation and other elements of a journalist’s profession are tainted by foreign influence.
Narrative patterns