Searching for Russian propaganda images in Slovakia
Disinformation and propaganda are scourges that spread rapidly in the age of the internet and social media. Slovakia is unfortunately no exception to this trend. As the legislative elections approach, the country is overwhelmed by a wave of fake news, coming both from within the country and from abroad, in particular from Russia.
According to Reset’s analyses, more than 365,000 election-related disinformation messages were published on Slovak social media in the first two weeks of September. These misleading messages generated five times more exposure than normal messages, violating the platforms’ terms of service.
What is even more alarming is that the main propagators of this false information are none other than Slovak politicians themselves. The leader of the SMER party, Robert Fico, known for his pro-Russian leanings, uses disinformation as a communication tool in its own right. His videos are among the most popular on Facebook, YouTube and Telegram in Slovakia.
This use of disinformation by Slovak politicians also benefits Russian interests. Robert Fico and other politicians have echoed Moscow’s narrative regarding the war in Ukraine, including saying that the clashes were caused by Ukrainian “fascists.” Ties between Slovakia’s political class and Russia have existed since communist times, making the country a prime target for Russian influence.
Experts have been warning for several months against the risk of Russian interference during these elections. Accusations have been made, including that Russia paid Slovak citizens to influence election results in favor of Robert Fico’s party.
Russian disinformation and propaganda are formidable weapons that undermine democracy and manipulate public opinion. It is essential for Slovak citizens to be aware of these threats and to exercise discretion when using media and social networks. The parliamentary elections on September 30 are an opportunity for voters to choose leaders who fight against disinformation and manipulation, to ensure a democratic and transparent future for Slovakia.