In 2021, Dietmar Pichler, supported by Anna Pattermann from Unlimited Democracy, launched the first Disinformation Awareness Day. At the time, Russian influence campaigns were already a major motivation for this initiative, along with the significant societal challenges posed by international and domestic disinformation related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
What has changed since 2021? The situation has grown far more critical. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was accompanied by an unprecedented propaganda campaign aimed at demonizing the victim. On a global scale, an alliance of autocratic states has emerged. Despite their loose economic cooperation, these states — led by Russia and China — are highly united in their propaganda efforts against the West.
These autocratic powers use both subtle and overt narratives across various channels to divide societies, weaken democracies, and undermine resilience. While awareness of online propaganda, AI, and social media influence campaigns has grown since 2021, the classic toolbox of "Active Measures" remains largely overlooked. These measures include the use of agents of influence, so-called "useful idiots," and influential figures such as academics, celebrities, artists, politicians, and authors. Many of these individuals present skewed geopolitical perspectives, often rooted in anti-Western sentiment and conspiracy theories.
What we now face is a comprehensive strategy that combines tactics from the Cold War era with powerful and cost-efficient digital tools. These measures target our way of life, our freedom, and, crucially, our willingness to defend them.
What is needed is a deep analysis of the situation that does not ignore offline operations, infiltration, hostile front organizations, and more awareness about these challenges. The risk of ignoring them is that people can be easily influenced by such activities if they have the wrong perception of safety due to the common belief that "Fake News" and influence campaigns are something limited only to social media.
There is no doubt that an anonymous troll without a profile picture is considered a less reliable source than a professor with several degrees, which makes academics
who are recruited or manipulated to serve as agents of influence a powerful tool for autocrats to promote their agenda.
Contact:
Dietmar Pichler
EMail: d.pichler@borsh.eu