When states deliberately spread disinformation, it undermines and, in the worst cases, destroys social cohesion. So, how can we protect ourselves?

There is no single solution to attempts at illegitimate foreign influence, such as disinformation campaigns. What is needed is an integrated approach that allows for a combination of different strategies. In the CeMAS research paper “United Against Manipulation”, researcher Lea Frühwirth outlines an integrated model for dealing with foreign opinion manipulation.

'FIMI' (short for 'Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference') describes attempts by states to manipulate public opinion in other states in order to destabilise societies. Therefore, it is in the core interest of democratic states to protect their populations as much as possible from such manipulation attempts.

While the problem is one that concerns many countries, comprehensive, integrated strategies for tackling it are still the exception. Lea Frühwirth from CeMAS has examined the approaches and individual measures already in use – from platform regulation to fact checks – as inspiration for best practice in her research paper ‘United Against Manipulation: An Integrated FIMI Response Model (FIMI)’.

Frühwirth's goal is to protect the population as best as possible so that it is not manipulated by disinformation campaigns. How can this be achieved? Based on the threat situation and available solutions, Frühwirth is developing an integrated model in which preventive and reactive measures interact to curb FIMI activities at the actor level, the dissemination level and the individual level. It is also important that the various actors involved in combating disinformation, such as civil society, academia, businesses and the state, work together cooperatively and continue to learn from the process.

The research paper aims to stimulate debate on how to further advance work against disinformation in Germany.