BIS Spokesperson: Russian propaganda in the Czech Republic is spreading, we can only defend ourselves by verifying information
Ladislav Šticha, spokesman for the Security Information Service (BIS), warns of the growing threat of Russian propaganda in the Czech Republic, which is aimed at weakening support for Ukraine and dividing society. According to him, Russian propaganda takes advantage of new technological possibilities and spreads disinformation through social media and pseudo-news websites. Šticha emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, verifying sources, and media education as key tools in the battle against manipulation.
Russian Propaganda in the Czech Republic: What Are Its Tactics and How To Defend Against Them?
Russian hostile propaganda has recently been heavily targeting the Czech Republic. Its aim is to weaken support for Ukraine, undermine citizens' trust in state institutions, and divide society. According to Ladislav Šticha, a spokesperson for the Security Information Service (BIS), Russian propaganda uses a wide range of topics.
"The dominant narratives are connected with the war in Ukraine, with attacks on Western lifestyle, on international organizations such as the EU or NATO, questioning state institutions and political leaders in individual countries. The aim is to weaken aid to the attacked country, to undermine citizens' trust in the state, to divide society so as not to be cohesive and thus become more easily manipulable,"
Explains.
Effectiveness of the Russian disinformation campaign in the Czech Republic
Although Russian propaganda in the Czech Republic is not as strong as in some other countries, its impact must not be underestimated.
"The impact of propaganda in the Czech Republic is not as significant as in some other countries, but it has an influence on a certain segment of the population. The danger lies in massive generation of disinformation content through many pseudo-news websites and especially through social networks. Some surveys suggest that disinformation successfully reaches between 20-30% of the population,"
Štich warns.
How is Russian propaganda evolving?
The Russian Federation has a long-established sophisticated propaganda system, which is constantly innovating. "What is changing are the new technological possibilities, which the RF adopts very quickly and thus achieves much greater penetration of public space than was the case twenty years ago," says Štich, adding that democratic states are still seeking effective defense that would not violate the principles of freedom of speech.
Who is spreading Russian propaganda in the Czech Republic?
According to BIS, there are groups and individuals in the Czech Republic who actively spread Russian propaganda, but no specific names were given.
"Yes we do. I can't be specific,"
Šticha answers the question of whether there are actors in the Czech Republic actively spreading disinformation.
How to defend against disinformation?
Ordinary citizens can protect themselves from disinformation primarily by critical thinking and verifying sources. "It is always important to make the maximum effort to verify the information received, especially in cases where the information appears shocking, scandalous or unthinkable at first glance," Šticha advises. He recommends using a wide range of sources and leaving social bubbles that maintain only one-sided views. "So if I get information from so-called alternative media or a chain email, it's good to confront it with traditional or official sources (public service media CT, CRo, CTK, state institutions)," he adds.
Media education is key to fighting disinformation, according to him.
"For example, it can help the lay public with the identification of disinformation content, for example by showing the difference between news from a reputable source and news from a disinformation medium. Once the headline and text feature a number of commentary or expressive elements, it is certainly not pure journalism and the validity of such a source is questionable,"
Štich concludes.
Termination of the United States Agency for International Development, which Russia used for its propaganda
The American administration under Donald Trump has decided to end the activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has elicited strong reactions not only in the USA, but also on the international scene. The Russian representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, welcomed this step and described it as a confirmation of Russian long-term claims that USAID finances "radicals worldwide". At the beginning of February, agency employees were expelled from its Washington headquarters and the White House began mass layoffs of most of its 10,000 employees. This development may play into the hands of Russian propaganda, which has long depicted USAID as a tool of American interference in the affairs of other states.
