understand better
FIMI
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference represents a sophisticated form of information warfare employed by state and non-state actors to undermine democratic processes, sow discord, and destabilise societies from within. Through the strategic spread of disinformation, misinformation, information suppression, and propaganda, FIMI aims to manipulate public opinion, distort political debates, and erode trust in institutions.
disinformation
Intentional dissemination of verifiably false or misleading information.
misinformation
Unintentional dissemination of verifiably false or misleading information.
propaganda
Intentional dissemination of verifiably false or misleading information that serves a political or ideological agenda.
INFORMATION SUPPRESSION
Obstruction to the spread of specific narratives and information to prevent them from gaining attention.
FIMI as an umbrella notion
FIMI is defined as a pattern of behaviour that threatens or has the potential to negatively impact values, procedures and political processes. Such activity is manipulative in character, conducted in an intentional and coordinated manner. Actors of such activity can be state or non-state actors. The key criterion is not the content, which does not need to be misleading, but the behaviour, which should be deceptive. FIMI is broader than the previous concepts in terms of mechanisms, while at the same time it narrows down the focus on foreign actors: primarily Russia and China. Moreover, DE-CONSPIRATOR recognises that foreign actors often interact with domestic networks – local proxies – in the targeted country to achieve their objectives. As such, FIMI is understood as a modern warfare tool that is integral to the foreign policy and military doctrines of China and Russia.
Useful Reports
In this section, you can find an anthology of useful resources and reports regarding Foreign Information and Manipulation Interference.
