Bratislava, December 4 (TASR) – Last year, the Slovak Information Service (SIS) did not see a significant spread of propaganda from Russia to Slovakia. In the Slovak media space, China continued to influence public opinion, spread propaganda and build its positive image. This follows from the SIS report on its activities in 2020 from the chapters on hybrid threats.

“The activities of pro-Russian activists focused on spreading narratives aimed at the polarization of Slovak society on the basis of value and political conflict.The actors have acted autonomously, but at the same time inspired themes and content in the Russian state media, he said.

“Actors in favor of China have paid particular attention to the neutralization of media coverage in connection with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemicIt is said that since the beginning of the spread of the pandemic in Europe, they have promoted various media channels reporting the production of strict measures in China. Also, according to the SIS, there were various forms of Chinese medical aid and additional supplies of medical supplies, which were presented as aid to states likely to suffer from the European Union’s inaction.

The Information Service assessed that the spread of disinformation in the Slovak online space intensified in 2020, also due to a pandemic. Disinformers have filled the online space with misleading and conspiratorial allegations about the pandemic, complemented by traditional disinformation issues and their own agenda. “The adoption of anti-epidemic measures has resulted in increased production of polarizing content, aimed primarily at undermining trust in the authorities and their ability to deal with the pandemic., “Specified the SIS.

It continues that the disinformation scene was continued by several more significant actors who wanted to build a position or build their own brand. Also in connection with the pandemic, they managed to reach a wider range of people than in previous years. “Decisive in continuing the actions of Slovak actors in creating tasks and disseminating disinformation and polarization content, “The SIS stated.

Information service in connection with the issue of hybrid threats created by restructuring existing organizational units to a new workplace, which primarily deals with it. At the same time, inter-service mechanisms were set up to coordinate their activities. According to its own words, the SIS also participates in the activities of the working group established at the Office of the Security Council of the Slovak Republic for the preparation of conceptual material for the fight against misinformation.