Disinformation isn’t just a problem for politicians and journalists.
It affects all of us, shaping the world we live in and the future we leave to our children.
Why This Matters to You
A new study, Beyond Online Disinformation: Assessing National Information Resilience in Four European Countries, examines why some nations are more resistant to disinformation than others.
The findings reveal that trust, education, and media integrity play crucial roles.
But as this study shows, the battle against disinformation is far from uniform across Europe.
Methodology – How This Study Was Conducted
The study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess national information resilience.
Researchers conducted comparative case studies of Austria, Czechia, Finland, and Spain, analyzing statistical data on media trust, policy evaluations, and government initiatives.
Document analysis and expert interviews provided deeper insights into the specific challenges and strengths of each country.
By examining these factors, the study identifies key elements that contribute to a nation's ability to resist disinformation.
The Disinformation Landscape in Europe
Fake news, misleading narratives, and propaganda have become an unavoidable part of modern life.
The question is: why are some countries more vulnerable than others?
The study examines Austria, Czechia, Finland, and Spain—four nations with different media environments, political landscapes, and approaches to tackling disinformation.
Their stories offer critical lessons on what works—and what doesn’t—in the fight against false information.
Austria – A Battle Between Trust and Media Corruption
Austria has a well-established journalistic tradition, and its public broadcaster, ORF, remains one of the most trusted in Europe.
Yet, trust in the media overall has been declining, due in part to political interference and sensationalist tabloid culture.
A Real-World Example:
During the 2017 elections, a wave of disinformation spread on social media, falsely claiming that the government was secretly planning to ban cash transactions.
According to a report by the Austrian fact-checking organization Mimikama, the false narrative originated from a far-right news portal and was later debunked by multiple fact-checking agencies. (Source: Mimikama, 2017)
The rumor, fueled by a far-right media outlet, caused public panic before being debunked.
Austria’s Response:
- Government initiatives to combat deepfakes.
- Strong fact-checking organizations like Mimikama.
- Ethical journalism efforts by the Austria Press Council.
Despite these measures, the erosion of media trust remains a challenge, allowing disinformation to spread more easily.
Czechia – When the Government Struggles to Keep Up
Czechia ranks high in press freedom, but its low trust in institutions and media creates a fertile ground for disinformation.
According to the 2023 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, only 23% of Czechs trust the news, one of the lowest rates in Europe.
This lack of trust makes citizens more likely to turn to alternative, sometimes unreliable, sources of information, increasing their susceptibility to disinformation. (Source: Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023)
The country has faced a surge in Russian-backed propaganda, fueling anti-EU and anti-immigration narratives.
A Real-World Example:
Former President Miloš Zeman publicly echoed Kremlin-backed conspiracy theories, claiming that the EU was trying to control Czech sovereignty.
His statements were widely shared, making it difficult for fact-checkers to counteract the narrative.
Czechia’s Response:
- Attempts to block known disinformation websites.
- The short-lived creation of a Media and Disinformation Commissioner role, later dismantled due to public backlash.
- Independent media literacy efforts led by NGOs.
The lack of a unified government strategy has left Czechia vulnerable to continued disinformation threats.
Finland – The Gold Standard of Resilience
Finland stands out as one of the most resilient nations against disinformation.
According to the 2023 Media Literacy Index by the Open Society Institute, Finland ranks highest in Europe in media literacy, a key factor in combating disinformation.
Additionally, a 2022 study by the Reuters Institute found that 69% of Finns trust the news, compared to the European average of 46%.
These factors contribute significantly to Finland's ability to resist the spread of false information. (Source: Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2022, Media Literacy Index 2023)
Its high level of trust in media, education system, and public institutions plays a crucial role.
A Real-World Example:
In Finnish schools, students are taught how to identify disinformation as part of their curriculum.
One lesson involves showing students real and fake headlines, challenging them to spot manipulation tactics.
Finland’s Response:
- Strong public broadcaster (Yle) ensures reliable news.
- Media literacy is embedded in education from a young age.
- Fact-checking organizations like Faktabaari play a key role.
Even so, rising political polarization and online conspiracy theories pose future challenges.
Spain – Polarization and the Weaponization of Fake News
Spain’s media landscape is deeply polarized, with political parties and social media fueling disinformation.
Trust in journalism is low, making citizens more susceptible to false narratives.
A Real-World Example:
During the 2023 elections, misleading claims about immigration policies and pension cuts spread widely.
Fact-checking organizations such as Maldita.es and Newtral debunked several viral claims, including manipulated videos and false policy statements.
Reports from the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) also documented the spread and impact of these narratives. (Source: Maldita.es, Newtral, EDMO)
Manipulated videos falsely depicting political leaders making inflammatory statements circulated across social media.
Spain’s Response:
- Legal actions against individuals spreading harmful disinformation.
- A rapid rise in independent fact-checking initiatives like Maldita.es and Newtral.
- Government-backed campaigns to counteract false information.
However, concerns remain about whether anti-disinformation laws could be misused for political censorship.
What Can We Learn?
The study highlights key lessons from these four nations:
- Trust matters. Countries with higher trust in media and institutions are more resilient.
- Media literacy is crucial. Finland’s educational approach is a model for the rest of the world.
- Governments must tread carefully. While regulation helps, excessive control risks stifling free speech.
- Tailored solutions work best. Each country’s unique media landscape requires specific strategies.
What You Can Do:
- Verify sources before sharing news.
- Support independent, trustworthy journalism.
- Teach your children digital literacy skills.
- Engage in critical thinking and discussions about media trust.
The Battle for Truth and Our Responsibility
Disinformation is shaping the world we live in today.
It threatens democracy, public health, and social cohesion, eroding trust in institutions and dividing societies.
If left unchecked, the consequences will be far-reaching, impacting the future we leave for our children.
The study analyzed national media resilience using qualitative and quantitative methods, including case studies, statistical data, and policy evaluations across four European nations.
One key finding was that countries with higher media literacy and institutional trust are significantly more resilient to disinformation. (Source: EDMO Report 2023)
This means that strengthening trust, education, and responsible media consumption can serve as powerful tools against the spread of false information.
What You Can Do
The fight against disinformation starts with individual action.
We all have a role to play in maintaining an informed and truthful society.
Here’s how you can contribute:
- Check your sources. Before sharing information, verify its accuracy through fact-checking organizations like Snopes and FactCheck.org.
- Support independent journalism. Reliable news organizations play a vital role in countering disinformation.
- Promote media literacy. Educate your children, friends, and community on how to recognize false narratives.
- Engage in critical discussions. Encourage thoughtful debates based on facts, not emotions or unverified claims.
The fight against disinformation requires collective effort.
Are we ready to take action?
The choices we make today—whether to fact-check before sharing, educate our children on media literacy, or support transparent journalism—will shape the world we pass on to future generations.
By understanding and addressing disinformation, we safeguard our future and the integrity of democratic societies.
Taking action means fact-checking before sharing, supporting independent journalism, and promoting media literacy in schools.
Start by checking sources, questioning narratives, and supporting fact-based journalism.
The future of an informed society depends on our choices today.
Sources and Further Reading
For those who want to explore further, these resources provide in-depth research, fact-checking tools, and strategies to combat disinformation.
- Beyond Online Disinformation: Assessing National Information Resilience in Four European Countries by Marius Dragomir, José Rúas-Araújo & Minna Horowitz. Read the full study
- EU vs Disinfo – European Union’s initiative to counter disinformation.
- EDMO – European Digital Media Observatory’s research on disinformation.
- Maldita.es – Spanish fact-checking platform.
- Faktabaari – Finnish fact-checking organization.
