Disinformation Campaigns in Small Countries

Disinformation is an emerging global issue that threatens democracy and societal stability. It often uses
narratives that align with pre-existing beliefs shaped by cultural, historical, and political contexts and
national identities.
My research seeks to gain an in-depth understanding of these contexts in smaller, more vulnerable
countries. The primary aim is to understand the impact of disinformation campaigns on public perception,
decision-making, and behaviour in these nations and to identify how different cultural and historical
contexts are used. Additionally, longitudinal studies will be conducted to observe the evolution of
disinformation narratives over time, with a focus on how international and domestic events influence these
narratives, using computational methods such as social media analysis. Ultimately, my research will
develop and test possible strategies to counter disinformation in smaller countries.
The expected contributions of this research include a deeper theoretical understanding of how
disinformation operates in diverse cultural and political settings, as well as practical strategies for
mitigating its effects. This research aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, media
organisations, and civil society in their efforts to combat disinformation.