Fragilities and defense techniques in Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Romania in the electoral context

Author: Marin Gherman, Ukraine

Year 2019 is an electoral year in Romania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. For the three states, these are very important choices, especially in the context of the risk of a possible retaliation of the pro-Russian forces in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Often, information about a state is used to influence public opinion in other countries.

The techniques of this informational war can be summed up to the following algorithm: the promotion of false news on social networks with an absolutely simple and populist message, the support of messages from social networks with similar information in the classical press, especially on television, spelling out political speeches based on false news. These are again "rolled" in the press and social networks. In this way, an alternative, new, virtual, fantastic reality is built, but it has social effects and serves political interests.

It is more than necessary to create common information / press centers to properly reflect the cross-border reality that is most sensitive to the possibilities of actors to manipulate public opinion. Without these small steps, (trans) national strategies risk being meaningless.

Keywords: press, information space, Ukraine, Romania, Republic of Moldova, misinformation