An editor wearing a face mask works in the control room at C5N news TV channel on April 17, 2020 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

An editor wearing a face mask works in the control room at C5N news TV channel on April 17, 2020 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. © Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images

Focus

The Infodemic

Years active: 2020-present

Disinformation, fake news and propaganda are emerging as among the most powerful threats of the modern age. Facilitated by new forms of media and spread by governments and non-state actors alike, these potent tools have far-reaching consequences for human rights and media freedoms around the world.

IWPR’s global networks of reporters, activists and rights defenders are working to document, expose and build resilience to this growing danger.

Latest on the infodemic

Seen on a monitor at a press conference Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky takes questions from the media on April 23, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Seen on a monitor at a press conference Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky takes questions from the media on April 23, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. © John Moore/Getty Images

Ukraine Debates “Authoritarian” Media Law

Critics argue that move, currently being fast-tracked by lawmakers, could curtail free speech.

IWPR's partner, Association of Independent Press, has trained citizens in more isolated, rural areas of Moldova – who often remain particularly vulnerable to manipulation - in how to identify and counter disinformation.

IWPR's partner, Association of Independent Press, has trained citizens in more isolated, rural areas of Moldova – who often remain particularly vulnerable to manipulation - in how to identify and counter disinformation. © Association of Independent Press (API)

Project Highlight

Moldovan Journalists Explain High Cost of Disinformation

Media literacy seminars in more remote parts of the country highlight danger of fake news.

IWPR’s local partner in Moldova, the Association of Independent Press (API), held two seminars in May and June 2022 as part of a project supporting Moldovan media’s resilience to disinformation following Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. The project is funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

IWPR’s local partner in Moldova, the Association of Independent Press (API), held two seminars in May and June 2022 as part of a project supporting Moldovan media’s resilience to disinformation following Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. The project is funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). © IWPR

Project Highlight

Moldovan Media Learn New Skills to Build Resilience

Programme provides emergency response to fighting fake news surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

Infographic on Belarusian media and extremism 1/9.

Infographic on Belarusian media and extremism 1/9.

Belarus’ Crackdown on Media Continues

Regime uses accusations of extremism to silence dissenting voices – and intimidate news consumers.

Nika Gvaramia, editor-in-chief of TV Mtavari Arkhi, was sentenced to three and half years in jail on charges of abuse of power while serving as director of Rustavi 2, an independent broadcaster he ran until 2019. He is shown during a protest held in 2017 in support of Rustavi 2, whose ownership was changed by Georgia's the Supreme Court in 2017.

Nika Gvaramia, editor-in-chief of TV Mtavari Arkhi, was sentenced to three and half years in jail on charges of abuse of power while serving as director of Rustavi 2, an independent broadcaster he ran until 2019. He is shown during a protest held in 2017 in support of Rustavi 2, whose ownership was changed by Georgia's the Supreme Court in 2017. © Courtesy of N Gvaramia

Jailing of Georgian Media Owner Raises Questions on Press Freedom

Nika Gvaramia imprisoned for abuse of power in a sentence largely seen as a retaliation for his criticism of the ruling party.

In 2014 Ekaterina moved to Kyiv from Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. Her older sister, Iryna, stayed behind. When Ekaterina had to flee Ukraine's capital due to shelling Iryna did not believe her accounts about Russians bombing against civilians.

In 2014 Ekaterina moved to Kyiv from Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. Her older sister, Iryna, stayed behind. When Ekaterina had to flee Ukraine's capital due to shelling Iryna did not believe her accounts about Russians bombing against civilians. © Piotr Garciu

The Sisters Torn Apart by Russia’s Invasion

While some Ukrainians flee shelling and occupation, those living beyond Russian lines do not believe civilians are being targeted.

A poster near the memorial site Malakhov Kurgan reads “Thank you to the Russian army and each soldier – Z, for Russia”.

A poster near the memorial site Malakhov Kurgan reads “Thank you to the Russian army and each soldier – Z, for Russia”. © IWPR

Crimea: War Shrouded by Moscow’s Propaganda Fog

With Ukrainian news sites blocked, disinformation shapes people’s perception of events.

Azerbaijani journalist Ayten Mammadova was assaulted in the building where she lives in the capital Baku, an threatened at knifepoint by an unknown man who warned against reporting over an ongoing trial.

Azerbaijani journalist Ayten Mammadova was assaulted in the building where she lives in the capital Baku, an threatened at knifepoint by an unknown man who warned against reporting over an ongoing trial.

Azerbaijani Journalist Threatened Over High-Profile Trial

Rights organisations maintain that systematic lack of action in investigating such crimes serves to empower perpetrators.

Most media content in Kharkiv has shifted online.

Most media content in Kharkiv has shifted online.

How Kharkiv’s Media Adapted to War

Production continues, despite almost no revenue and the constant danger of physical - and cyber – attack.

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