Russian disinformation campaign: This is how Austria is manipulated!

Russian disinformation campaign: This is how Austria is manipulated!

The investigators of the government protection and intelligence service (DSN) have uncovered a significant Russian disinformation campaign in Austria. The focus is on a Bulgarian citizen who is suspected of spying on the implementation of these disinformation operations as an agent for Russia. The main goal of this campaign was to manipulate public and political opinion in the interests of Russia and to promote adverse views over Ukraine in particular. This reports OE24 During a press conference, State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ) expressed concern about the effects of such disinformation on trust in state institutions and social cohesion. He pointed out that disinformation not only influence elections, but also promote political instability and thus endanger democratic society. Gleichfried emphasized how important it was that the citizens of Austria are able to make independent and to make informed decisions.

disinformation as a global phenomenon

The machinations of the Russian propaganda are not limited to Austria. Internal documents from the SDA agency close to Russia show that targeted moods in various European countries, especially Germany, are to be influenced. Ilya Gambashidze, the head of the SDA, is known as a busy information collar and is often seen as the successor to Jewgeni Prigoschin. The agency works on behalf of the Russian Presidential Administration and aims to undermine western narratives and spread its own. This is done by counterfeiting information and the use of social media in order to spread disinformation quickly and unnoticed. This information comes from a report by Tagesschau .

The SDA also pursues specific political goals in Germany, including the support of right parties before the EU election 2024. Even lists of protest events were created in order to use them for propaganda-supporting campaigns. The US government has already accused the SDA of wanting to influence the presidential elections in 2024, which illustrates the international dimension and the dangers of disinformation.

implications for democracy

The targeted spread of disinformation has profound effects on democratic processes. Fundant election decisions require reliable information. A democratic election campaign should be based on correct facts and respect the fundamental rights. But reality looks different: disinformation is used to distort political opinion formation, to fuel fear and anger and to present radical solutions as the only answers to complex challenges.

like SLPB , the mechanisms of manipulation are finely worked out, and unfair campaign methods can lead to a withdrawal from political discussions and to loss, especially at Affected groups such as women, migrants and LGBTQ+. Copies such as the "doppelganger" campaign, which has been used to influence the political mood in Europe since 2022, illustrate the threats that are exposed to western democracies.