The components and risks of the new type of confrontation between the information systems and possibilities of working out and implementing anti-propaganda strategies were discussed in an international conference organized by the Public Association “Civic Arena” in partnership with the Association of European Journalists and the Academy of Entrepreneurship, IPN reports.
In a press release, the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, which supported the event, said among the main invitees to the conference were journalists specialized in identifying fakes in the media.
According to the director of the Radio Free Europe North Caucasus Service Aslan Doukaev, the propaganda campaigns of Russia cause real damage to the security of many European states, especially those from the East. Their key objectives are to discredit the notion of democracy, undermine the legal governments from the region and strengthen the political and military power of Russia. “The U.S. and the EU should more actively support the media companies that are able to disperse the hostile propaganda of Russia, such as Radio Free Europe. The institutions that regulate the activity of the mass media in Europe and North America should ban the Russian channels that incite hatred and war,” he stated.
Margo Gontar, co-author of the Ukrainian project “Stop Fake”, who gave a workshop on how fakes in the mass media can be identified, said in the era of informational domination, it is crucial to be conscious consumers of products. “We must ask ourselves who stands to gain from this news item and who comments the incident/subject? We must put ourselves such questions whenever we are in contact with any type of information,” said Margo Gontar.
Roman Shutov, vice director of “Telecritica” Ukraine, said the problem of information security in Moldova can be solved with the help of the Government, NGOs and donors. “You should ensure the production of own films and books, newspapers and TV materials. Do not allow the pro-Russian forces to control the main TV channels. Stop the inciting of hatred and separatism as this can be enough for preventing a disaster,” he stated.
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova James D. Pettit underscored the importance of supporting the free media amid this new type of media confrontation. “The propaganda does not represent the journalists. The number of laws that are restrictive for the mass media is on the rise. The mass media controlled by the government becomes a rule rather than an exception,” he said.
The conference was held on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day with the support of the U.S. Embassy.
