2020 has brought many challenges and with them - a large volume of #disinformation. Here’s our recap! (THREAD 1/20)

In late JANUARY we collected the first examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation spinning conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19. (2/20) https://t.co/iAbo00JH56
In FEBRUARY disinfo outlets kept amplifying conspiracy theories about COVID-19, no matter how ridiculous. The @WHO warned that the pandemic was accompanied by “infodemic”: an unprecedented flood of false or inaccurate information about coronavirus. (3/20) https://t.co/uJXJlyCWez
In MARCH Josep Borrell, the head of the European External Action Service, warned: “disinformation can kill”. https://t.co/9bZknYDtfX
In APRIL global activist network @Avaaz found that harmful misinformation on coronavirus was shared over 1.7 million times on Facebook and viewed an estimated 117 million times. (5/20) https://t.co/WTVAGknLb5
The eventual slowing down of infection rates in Europe decreased the volume of COVID-19 related disinformation. In MAY it was no longer cool to fuel anti-vaxx moods on Russian TVs. Oscar-winning film director N.Mikhalkov had to learn it the hard way. (6/20)https://t.co/nKGAhk87RP
Nonetheless, Disinformation narrative about “secret labs”, an old darling of pro-Kremlin disinformation, found new prominence, as it was increasingly adopted by Chinese sources. (7/20) https://t.co/Yk49cJgjFB
In JUNE, as the racial justice protests spread in the US, pro-Kremlin pundits could hardly contain their glee. (8/20) https://t.co/6HzATiDvds
In JULY, following the spurious voting process to adopt amendments to the Russian constitution, the Kremlin intensified crack down on independent journalism. (9/20) https://t.co/FXhufoLq8e
Disinformation campaign aiming to obfuscate the Kremlin’s responsibility for downing flight #MH17 continued into 6th year. As more and more evidence of Russia’s direct involvement came to light, pro-Kremlin disinformation began grasping at straws. (10/20) https://t.co/tF2rWkGGlD
In AUGUST protests against the results of rigged presidential election began in Belarus. To aid the embattled dictator, Russian media “specialists” were soon dispatched to the country. (11/20)
https://t.co/U0cC6Byygs
A Botched assassination attempt at Alexei #Navalny put pro-Kremlin media in a crisis management mode. In a striking case of déjà vu, disinformation outlets sought to muddy the waters just like they did in 2018 after Salisbury attack. (12/20)
In SEPTEMBER our research showed, that pro-Kremlin disinformation on #Navalny poisoning has found a fertile ground in Germany. (13/20)
https://t.co/XNPwY7GUtU
Throughout the autumn the pro-Kremlin media were busy promoting Sputnik V vaccine to global audiences. Particular attention was paid to Latin America. (14/20) https://t.co/6THHJK5VZB
In OCTOBER, as renewed fighting in Nagorno Karabakh continued, pro-Kremlin outlets presented pictures from the video game as authentic war footage. (15/20) https://t.co/qnnuYdrOqG
In NOVEMBER as protracted tally of the votes followed the #USElections2020, the pro-Kremlin media amplified conspiracy theories alleging election fraud. (16/20) https://t.co/HkNOJ37Vz8
Presidential election in Moldova were also a target, in particular Moldova's president elect Maia #Sandu. (17/20) https://t.co/OEo4dgxLNE
As the challenging year came to the end, DECEMBER brought silver linings: @bellingcat investigations shed light on FSB officers implicated in the poisoning of #Navalny. (18/20) https://t.co/DatqpY2Sgg and https://t.co/YUt3GwLVkP
Belarusian opposition received the #SakharovPrize for Freedom of Thought, the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work (19/20) https://t.co/tRnOzNWnxP
And the EU took further steps to strengthen its response to disinformation! (20/20) https://t.co/pZDL0EgbSq

More from Society

You May Also Like