The Pro-Russian Disinformation Campaign In The Czech Republic And Slovakia

Editor’s note: Over the course of the past 20+ months I have witnessed a huge influx of pro-Russian disinformation.  I warms my heart that this is being examined.

However…  I received feedback on this from my Czech resident expert in the Czech Republic, Dr. Veronika Valdova.

1)      It does not have methodology. PSSI has enough resources to conduct a proper study. I can do that for them/with them, but they need to pay me.

2)      Picking four relatively obscure media outlets does not do the trick. It is necessary to screen the whole media spectrum in a comprehensive and rigorous manner, i.e. snapshot over two months, and quantify the findings. Mainstream media are often picking up and republishing highly controversial content. To name and shame mainstream publications, one needs a very good research methodology, to make the findings and conclusions valid.

3)      Some directories suppress or amplify content as they deem fit. Their impact is significant because of reader behavior. Naturally, frequently used directories have higher impact. This needs to be quantified.

4)      Television should not be disregarded, it is a major influencer. The paper noted the role of pro-Russian president Milos Zeman, although very carefully – calling him “a strong supporter of Czech-Russian relations”. My take is that this is an understatement. Despite the controversies he still has very strong popular support. This orientation gives information coming from Russian and pro-Russian sources much more legitimacy and credibility than it otherwise would have, at least among certain audiences.

5)  PSSI should contact other gov’t institutions and ask them to provide a comprehensive library service.   ProQuest would help, for instance.

I was going to complain about the All-Caps title…  her expertise is much greater than mine in methodological critiques.

Bottom line, this study is a good first step but it needs a refined and disciplined methodology to achieve professional standards.

THE PRO-RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA

TYPES OF MEDIA SPREADING PRO-RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA, THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND FREQUENTLY USED NARRATIVES

By Ivana Smoleňová

SUMMARY

SUMMARY FINDINGS

• In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the proRussian disinformation campaign originates from multiple sources: numerous pro-Russian websites, informal groups and communities on social media, several printed periodicals, radio broadcasts, and non-governmental organizations. Their pro-Kremlin messages are amplified through extensive social media activity, and through the organization of public events and gatherings.

• Common characteristics of the pro-Kremlin media and websites in CR and SR are as follows:

− They claim no allegiance to Kremlin;

− Send very similar messages and use similar arguments;

− Are strongly anti-Western, most frequently targeting the United States, Ukraine and the West in general;

− To lesser extent, are ProKremlin and pro-Putin; − Heavily use conspiracy theories, combining facts and half-truths;

− Have negative undertones, usually depicting moral, economic, political and social degradation and predicting a bleak future, including the collapse or clash of civilizations;

− Frequently use loaded language and emotionally charged words, stories and pictures;

− Are interconnected and supported by various public personalities that give the campaign both credibility and public visibility.

− The advent of the pro-Kremlin media and organizations in these two countries predates 2014, as many were founded in 2013 or earlier, but their rhetoric and activities hardened and intensified with the crises in Ukraine.

• Their motives, origins and organizational and financial structures remain, in most cases, unknown. To date, all efforts by investigative journalists or activists have only resulted in finding dubious links and facts, but no direct proof of Russian involvement.

• The lack of transparency is one of their strongest assets, as any accusation of ulterior motives is depicted as an attempt to suppress ‘alternative opinions‘ and any challenger is branded ‘America‘s propaganda puppet.‘

• The most important role of these new proKremlin media, and especially their social media channels, is that they facilitate vivid platforms where like-minded criticism and discontent can be shared and, to the Kremlin’s benefit, spread and amplified.

• The goal of the pro-Russian campaign is to shift public opinion against its own democratic institutions and foreshadow a world where the United States intents to overrun the globe, every West-leaning politician is corrupt, all media outlets not of their persuasion are biased and the future is bleak, hopeless and full of conflict. In such a world, Russia emerges as both the savior and moral authority, the guarantor of political stability and peace.

http://www.pssi.cz/download/docs/253_is-pro-russian-campaign.pdf