The term “disinformation,” which was still a mystery to many citizens and users a few years ago, has now become a permanent part of everyday vocabulary. We encounter it on the radio, television, in the press, and unfortunately, in our daily lives, especially when using the internet and social media.
False or misleading content deliberately spread with the intention of causing harm and achieving political, financial, or other gains is not the only threat in the information sphere. Although some disinformation can be easily exposed, most of it remains in the so-called “gray area,” skillfully exploiting grains of truth.
Information manipulation does not solely involve falsifying content; it can also include specific communication techniques, amplifying even partially true materials, redirecting attention, and using trolls and bots to achieve specific goals in the information space. While such activities can be conducted by domestic entities, foreign attempts at manipulation pose a particular threat.
This is why the European External Action Service introduced the concept of FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference), which describes this type of interference. These interferences are exceptionally dangerous because they not only contribute to societal polarization, chaos, and the strengthening of certain narratives but can also undermine the principles of democracy. Numerous examples of such activities were observed during the last election year. It is worth remembering that behind the manipulation can stand not only state actors but also other entities, such as foreign organizations driven by ideological motives or influencers not affiliated with the government.
The concept of FIMI is closely related to the research methodology DISARM (Disinformation Analysis and Resilience Mapping). This approach shifts the burden of proof from content analysis to behavior analysis, enabling more effective identification of disinformation campaigns. Instead of focusing solely on verifying the truthfulness of information, DISARM concentrates on patterns of behavior, the manipulation techniques used, and the structure of disinformation networks. More about the DISARM matrix and its practical application in analyzing influence campaigns can be found in our article.