2023 elections and disinformation: Analysis of the dissemination of misleading and deceptive content related to the 2023 Elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic
2023 elections and disinformation: Analysis of the dissemination of misleading and deceptive content related to the 2023 Elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic
Elections have always served as the cornerstone of any democratic society, representing the collective voice of the people. However, in this digital era, the arena for shaping public opinion has migrated to online platforms and social media. The responsible use of information has the potential to empower voters and fortify a strong democracy. Nevertheless, when information is wielded with malicious intent, it can erode the very foundations of the electoral process. In this regard, the period leading up to an election, particularly the pre-election campaign, stands out as an exceptionally sensitive time in any country. It frequently becomes the focal point of various attempts aimed at shaping public opinions or directly meddling with the electoral processes by hostile foreign actors, and Slovak elections are no different in this regard.
For these reasons, the Centre for Countering Hybrid Threats has launched an analysis of the dissemination of narratives questioning the transparency and credibility of election processes, as well as attempts to interfere in elections through the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading information intended to cause a specific consequence related to the 2023 Elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic. What added an intriguing dimension to the 2023 elections for the National Council of the Slovak Republic was the enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA has imposed a set of obligations on so-called very large online platforms to prevent efforts to influence election processes and spread disinformation. The response of online platforms to efforts to influence elections through the dissemination of false and misleading information is therefore an important test of the functioning of the DSA as well as of the commitments contained in the Code of Practice on Disinformation, to which almost all major online platforms are signatories
Therefore, The English version of 2023 elections and disinformation: Analysis of the dissemination of misleading and deceptive content related to the 2023 Elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic sheds light on narratives questioning the transparency and credibility of electoral processes, as well as efforts to interfere in elections through disinformation. The analysis also includes both the response of central government units to the dissemination of misleading and deceptive information, as well as an analysis of the response of social networks and online platforms (META, YouTube, TikTok) to such incidents of disinformation dissemination. In addition to presenting the key findings, it also provides recommendations for the future.
Tag: deepfake ,disinformation ,elections ,Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic