Propaganda and disinformation campaigns during the COVID-19 crisis: the role of social media

Monday, 18th May 2020, 15:00 – 16:00 (CET – Brussels time) 

The European Foundation for Democracy, in cooperation with the U.S. Mission to the European Union and Political Capital, held an online discussion with:

Peter Kreko, Director, Political Capital
Anna Pellegatta, Associate Director, Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab

The panelists analysed the role that social media is playing in amplifying propaganda and disinformation messages during the COVID-19 crisis. They discussed the main dynamics behind these campaigns and how social media platforms are used to spread propaganda and fake news. The discussion also explored what tools liberal democracies can use to address and counter such propaganda campaigns. Transnational efforts and cooperation were considered crucial in order to elaborate sustainable responses to online propaganda and disinformation campaigns beyond the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

Watch online: The discussion was live streamed on Facebook. Click here to view the webinar.