The Growing Threat of Disinformation

According to the "Disinformation Landscape in Slovakia" report (September 2023), Slovakia has become highly vulnerable to false narratives, Russian propaganda, and political misinformation.

This is just one example of how disinformation is weaponized to manipulate public perception.

Why does this matter? Because the playbook used in Slovakia is not unique.

The same tactics can be seen in the U.S., U.K., and across Europe.

Understanding Slovakia's experience helps us recognize and fight back against disinformation everywhere.

Disinformation in Slovakia: A Case Study in Manipulation

Why Slovakia is a Target

Slovakia has unique vulnerabilities that make it a prime target for disinformation campaigns.

Historically, the country has maintained cultural and political ties with Russia, leading to a lingering pro-Russian sentiment among some segments of the population.

This has been exploited by both internal and external actors to push narratives that support Russian interests while undermining Western alliances such as NATO and the EU.

Additionally, Slovakia has one of the lowest levels of media trust in Europe, with only 27% of Slovaks expressing confidence in the media (Reuters Institute, 2023).

This widespread skepticism makes the public more susceptible to falsehoods and conspiracy theories, as they are less likely to trust fact-checkers or mainstream news sources.

Social media, especially Facebook, plays a dominant role in shaping public opinion, but it also serves as a breeding ground for misleading information.

Perhaps most concerning is the role of politicians in amplifying disinformation.

Unlike other countries where false narratives are primarily spread by fringe groups, Slovakia sees mainstream politicians actively promoting conspiracy theories for political gain.

This legitimizes false claims and further erodes public trust in reliable information.

Stories of Disinformation in Action

The U.S.-Slovakia Defense Agreement (2022)

In early 2022, Slovakia signed a defense cooperation agreement with the United States that allowed for closer military collaboration.

However, a disinformation campaign quickly emerged, claiming that the agreement meant the "occupation of Slovakia by U.S. forces".

Political figures such as Attorney General Maroš Žilinka falsely suggested that U.S. nuclear weapons could be placed on Slovak soil, a claim that had no basis in fact.

This fearmongering narrative gained traction on social media and was repeated by anti-Western media outlets.

Result: This disinformation campaign fueled anti-American sentiment and led to public protests against the agreement. It also strengthened Russia’s influence in Slovakia by presenting NATO and the U.S. as aggressors rather than allies.

The "Destroyed Russian Cemetery" Hoax (2022)

In September 2022, Russian state-controlled media reported that Slovak authorities had destroyed a Russian war cemetery in the town of Ladomirová.

The claim suggested that this was an act of hostility against Russia and was widely shared by pro-Kremlin accounts.

Reality: The only change made to the cemetery was the removal of outdated curbs for easier maintenance. None of the graves were disturbed. Slovak officials quickly debunked the claim, but by then, the disinformation had already spread widely.

Goal: The false claim was used to stir anti-Slovak sentiment in Russia and reinforce the narrative that Western-aligned countries were engaged in "Russophobia."

It also served as a distraction from Russian war crimes in Ukraine, shifting focus onto an invented controversy.

Election Disinformation & Soros Conspiracies

As Slovakia approached the 2023 parliamentary elections, disinformation networks ramped up their efforts to undermine trust in democratic institutions.

One of the most persistent false narratives claimed that NGOs and the cybersecurity firm ESET were involved in rigging the elections.

Despite having no role in the vote-counting process, ESET was falsely accused of manipulating results to favor pro-Western candidates.

Another recurring theme was the "George Soros is controlling Slovakia" conspiracy.

This baseless claim has been used for years to discredit opposition figures and frame democratic movements as foreign plots.

Impact: These disinformation efforts led to widespread public distrust in the electoral process, with some citizens refusing to accept official results. The situation closely mirrors election-related disinformation seen in the United States (2020), Brazil (2022), and other polarized democracies.

Final Thoughts

Disinformation is more than just misleading stories—it is a deliberate strategy used to divide societies, weaken trust in democratic institutions, and manipulate public perception.

The experience of Slovakia shows how deeply embedded false narratives can become and how they are often reinforced by political actors and foreign influence.

However, awareness is the first step in fighting back.

By questioning sources, verifying information, and supporting independent journalism, individuals can help counteract the spread of disinformation.

Governments, media, and civil society must also work together to build media literacy programs and enforce transparency measures to make it harder for disinformation to take root.

The lessons from Slovakia are clear: disinformation thrives where trust is weak.

Strengthening our collective defenses against it is not just a national concern—it is a global necessity.

Credits, Sources, and Links

This article is based on the "Disinformation Landscape in Slovakia" report (September 2023) by Infosecurity.sk and Adapt Institute.

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