Michaela Dubóczi
Short vita
Project Director of Infosecurity.sk by Adapt Institute
Contributions
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The attacks and demonising narratives against the opposition and the media continue after the European elections
Disinformers in Slovakia have interpreted the results of the EP elections as a desired decline of progressivism and a change of circumstances in favour of patriotic political forces. Attacks on the Slovak mainstream media and the opposition also continued to trend. At the same time, the disinformation ecosystem is returning to tried and tested narratives about the war in Ukraine. These are often in direct line with Russian propaganda.
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Slovakia’s EU election campaign culminated in the exploitation of the attempt on Fico's life
One of the most discussed topics in the past two weeks has been the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Fico. Various actors and the Prime Minister himself, who addressed the citizens for the first time since he was injured, have spread disinformation about the reason for the attack and the blame continues to be clearly attributed to the opposition. Journalists and even the private broadcaster, Markíza, are also under increasing pressure. And shortly before the European Parliament elections, disinformation about the EU peaked in popularity.
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The spread of hatred and disinformation continues after the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico
The assassination attempt on the Prime Minister Robert Fico shook the whole Slovak society. Calls for reconciliation, however, have been replaced by further hate-building. The disinformation ecosystem and politicians attacked opposition parties and mainstream media in particular. Actors used the tragic event to belittle the media's role in democracy. Moreover the campaign for the EP elections has accelerated in the Slovak disinformation scene again. Disinformation actors spread largely misleading messages about the threats of liberalism or LGBTI and questioned the extent of climate change.
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Slovakia is to be saved from the dictate of Brussels by 'patriots'. Apart from the EU elections, disinformers also centred on glorifying Russia and fear-mongering about a nuclear conflict.
As the European Parliament elections approach, the mobilisation of the Slovak disinformation ecosystem continues. The focus is still on the Green Deal, for example, or criticism of opposition MEPs. The celebration of Victory Against Fascism Day was also a resonant theme, serving as an opportunity to glorify Russia and spread false messages. Disinformers spoke of a supposed progressive fascism originating in the West and manifesting itself in the form of Russophobic attacks.
