Distorted Reality: Information Manipulation and Its Impact Across Europe

Last modified by Nicoleta Corbu on 2026/06/23 07:48

Published Tuesday 23 June 2026 at 08:47

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On 23 May 2026, on the sidelines of the GLOBSEC Forum – the premier strategic conference in Central and Eastern Europe, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, and experts to address the most pressing global challenges – GLOBSEC hosted a session titled "Distorted Reality: Information Manipulation and Its Impact Across Europe."

The session brought together researchers from three European networks – CEDMO, BROD, and NARDIV – to examine how disinformation narratives spread and evolve across the continent, from their emergence and amplification to gradual normalisation, and what this means for democratic resilience. The panel featured Călin-Ștefan Georgia (Funky Citizens / BROD), Jakub Kubs (GLOBSEC/CEDMO), and Dr. Christian Noack (University of Amsterdam / NARDIV), and was led by Jana Kazaz of GLOBSEC.

Călin-Ștefan Georgia presented BROD's research on TikTok as a vector for political disinformation. Drawing on network analysis of thousands of public posts, the research identified three core mechanisms through which disinformation gains traction on the platform: the normalisation of fringe content, hybrid virality – where emotional videos are remixed with humour, nostalgia, or outrage – and algorithmic amplification, which rewards the most polarising content with the widest reach. The presentation highlighted how TikTok's recommendation system actively shapes the political realities different users encounter, documenting patterns of coordinated behaviour and notable spikes in engagement. Together, these dynamics raise fundamental questions about platform accountability and the ability of accurate information to reach audiences across ideological divides.

Jakub Kubs drew on GLOBSEC data analysis to examine the Pravda network, a coordinated pro-Kremlin disinformation infrastructure operating across Europe, while Christian Noack brought comparative perspective from Western European contexts through the NARDIV research framework.

Barbora Dobo

Co -Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or DIGITAL-2021-TRUST-01. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Research on misinformation has proliferated rapidly in recent years. However, experts remain divided on fundamental questions, including how to best define misinformation and related terms, how prevalent and severe the issue of misinformation is, and how best to prevent or mitigate the problem at scale. These inconsistencies have created fragmentation and conceptual confusion within the evidence base, making it difficult to identify which findings are most robust or applicable to real-world decision-making. This study will combine a rapid review of the evidence on misinformation, coupled with expert consultation, to identify, evaluate, and synthesise evidence across three thematic areas: (i) understanding and measuring misinformation, (ii) assessing impacts, and (iii) countering and mitigation. Evidence will be examined in relation to key policy domains (e.g., health and climate change). The output will be a Misinformation Analysis & Policy Support (MAPS) tool, designed to support policymakers and practitioners identify which evidence is most reliable, when it should be used, and in which contexts. [+]

On February 8, 2024, 18 pages were created on the same day, with different areas of activity: 9 in Health and Beauty, 6 in Grocery Stores, and 3 in Musicians and Bands. All had apparently independent profiles with no visible connection between them. The names and profile pictures suggest Vietnamese identities.

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Distorted Reality: Information Manipulation and Its Impact Across Europe

BROD

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