In collaboration with the Beacon Project, we prepared a case study focused on the Slovak Republic’s preparedness to counter harmful manipulative activities by foreign actors, commonly referred to as “Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference” (FIMI). The case study is part of a broader analysis of several countries in the region, which will be published soon.
The Beacon Project is an initiative of the International Republican Institute (IRI), launched in 2015 to counter Russian disinformation in Europe. It focuses on identifying and evaluating disinformation and manipulative strategies that can influence public opinion and political stability in the region. The Beacon Project aims to provide tools and insights that will help democratic states address security challenges and strengthen support for Ukraine.
FIMI is often associated with disinformation, but it encompasses a broader range of sophisticated techniques for harmful information operations. For democratic states, these activities are becoming an increasing political and security challenge.
Slovakia is one of the most vulnerable European countries to FIMI. The country lacks effective legislation to combat it, and the current political leadership tends to downplay the threat. Russian information influence in the country continues to go unanswered by the state.
You can find our analysis here.