FIMI VS DISINFORMATION: IMPACT ON DIGITAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC ORDER IN THE EU
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.n4.4678Keywords:
FIMI, Disinformation, Fake, Security, Public Order, Ukraine, EU, Strategy, Media Literacy, Educational Initiatives, Russian-Ukrainian WarAbstract
The article explores the concept of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) as a new analytical framework for countering disinformation in the European Union in the context of hybrid threats. It analyzes the evolution of information security as a component of the EU’s strategic policy against the backdrop of increasing external interference, in particular, in connection with the Russian-Ukrainian war. The authors argue that FIMI differs from the traditional understanding of disinformation in its scale, systematicity, and institutional reach. The paper examines three main vectors of FIMI’s impact on public order: political radicalization, mass distrust of the media and authorities, and social disintegration. It provides an analytical assessment of key narratives that erode democratic trust, destabilize governments, and contribute to political division in the EU. Particular attention is paid to the institutional responses of the European Union: from the creation of the East StratCom Task Force and the EUvsDisinfo initiative to the implementation of the Digital Services Act. The need to move from reactive counteraction to the formation of strategic communication and information resilience as a key tool for protecting the democratic system is highlighted. The article emphasizes the role of critical thinking, independent media and education as long-term safeguards against the influence of FIMI. In conclusion, it is proven that FIMI is not only a security challenge, but also a marker of civilizational vulnerability, which requires an interdisciplinary approach to research and a comprehensive response policy.
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