Blurring lines : foreign interference and local proxies

Abstract

This panel, jointly organised by the European Media and Information Fund (EMIF) and the European Institute for Security Studies (EUISS)-led Countering Foreign Interference (CFI) project, will discuss foreign interference in Europe, and the role that local proxies play in supporting and amplifying their harmful effects. The central focus of the panel is the interplay between state-backed foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI); the EU member states and partner countries that they target; and local proxies (such as paramilitary organisations, local political actors and media outlets, mercenary groups, etc) within these states. These local proxies have been known to further amplify and disseminate manipulated narratives within their networks. Moreover, based on relevant research, the European Parliament’s ING2 Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, has pointed out these issues as highly problematic and in need of urgent attention. In the context of the upcoming European elections, held shortly after this event, FIMI threats are particularly salient and even more acutely relevant to address as effectively as possible leveraging existing tools or developing new measures.