Announcement: Coalition against Disinformation

Announcement: Coalition against disinformation

#SupportUkraine

IRYNA KOPANYTSIA

(Ukraine Correspondent, MAHABAHU)

Date: October 29, 2024

Time: 8:00-11:00 (Washington time); 15:00-18:00 (Kyiv time)

Location: The National Press Club, Washington D.C.

To register: https://forms.gle/6E3dnaCBaiwvr9Kg9

In an era of global political instability, Russian disinformation has become one of the most powerful tools for undermining democratic institutions, influencing conflicts, and eroding fundamental freedoms. This event will bring together leading experts in media, politics, security, and human rights to discuss the growing threat of Russian disinformation.

The discussion will examine the tactics used by Russia to destabilize governments, influence elections, suppress religious freedoms—particularly in occupied territories—and manipulate global narratives surrounding its military actions. We will explore how disinformation is shaping the geopolitical landscape and analyze strategies to combat its insidious influence on societies worldwide.

As the world grapples with the consequences of Russian disinformation, this conversation is both timely and crucial. Understanding these campaigns not only helps protect democratic systems but also plays a vital role in safeguarding human rights, including religious freedoms, which are being undermined not only in conflict zones and Russian-occupied territories but also within Russia itself and across the globe as a result of Russian disinformation.

Panel 1: “Disinformation as a Weapon: From Social Media to Mainstream Influence”

• Time: 08:40-09:20 (40 minutes)
• Preview: Disinformation is no longer just about spreading false information; it is about controlling narratives and sowing division. Participants will explore how Russian disinformation campaigns are created and disseminated through state-controlled media and social platforms. The discussion will cover the algorithms and methods that allow this content to spread rapidly and influence public opinion on a global scale.
• Description:
  The panel will focus on how Russia strategically uses disinformation to amplify propaganda and false narratives. The participants will examine the role of social media in accelerating the spread of disinformation and how mainstream media sometimes become an inadvertent conduit for these stories. Topics will include the rise of state-backed alternative news sources and the challenges of detecting and countering disinformation in real time. The panel will also highlight the role of fact-checking organizations and the responsibility of the media.

Panelists: Media experts, digital security specialists, and representatives from social media platforms.

• Q&A: 10 minutes (included in panel time)

Speakers:

• Jason Shelton – former mayor of Tupelo, Mississippi, and regional administrator for General Services Administration Regions in the Biden-Harris administration.
• Dietmar Pichler – an analyst for Disinformation and Foreign Interference, director of the organization Disinfo Resielence Network, and Vice President of the Vienna-based NGO “Vienna goes Europe.”
• Jonathan Fink – a podcast host at Silicon Curtain and Founder of iWi
• Glenn Ignazio – a national security and military expert, with experience in Special Operations & Intelligence.

Panel 2: “Russian Disinformation and the Erosion of Religious Freedoms in Occupied Territories and Beyond, Including Democratic Countries”

• Time: 9:20-10:00 (40 minutes)

Preview: Russian disinformation not only undermines political institutions but also subtly targets religious freedoms, both within Russia and in regions under its influence, including occupied territories such as Crimea and Donbas. This discussion will delve into the ways disinformation is employed to rationalize religious persecution, shape perceptions of religious groups, and stifle dissent. Furthermore, the panel will explore how these influence campaigns extend beyond Russia’s borders, affecting religious freedoms globally.

Description:
This session will examine the complex relationship between Russian disinformation and the erosion of religious freedoms. Panelists will explore how disinformation tactics are used by the Russian government to undermine the legitimacy of religious communities, marginalize religious minorities, and restrict religious expression in both Russia and occupied territories.

The discussion will highlight specific cases of religious repression in Crimea, Donbas, and other affected regions, offering insights into the broader implications of these actions. Additionally, the panel will assess the global impact of Russian disinformation on religious freedoms, with a focus on how it shapes international perceptions in Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world, and how it complicates global efforts to safeguard these fundamental rights.

Panelists: Human rights defenders, religious freedom advocates, and experts in international law.

• Q&A: 10 minutes (included in panel time)
•  

Coffee Break: 15 minutes

• Time: 10:00-10:15

Speakers:

Jax Harrison – founder and CEO of The Future Fond, Innovation4Good, and Jax Harrison Network, communicator and advisor.

Panel 3: “Elections Under Siege: How Russian Disinformation Undermines Democratic Processes”

• Time: 10:15-10:55 (40 minutes)
• Preview: Elections are a primary target for Russian disinformation, with attempts to manipulate voter behavior and undermine trust in democratic institutions in Eastern Europe, the EU, and the U.S. This discussion will examine how disinformation campaigns are used to influence election outcomes, destabilize governments, and what steps can be taken to protect the integrity of future elections.
• Description:
  The panel will explore examples of Russian disinformation campaigns that directly interfered with election processes in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, as well as in EU countries and the U.S. Participants will analyze the tactics used to exploit divisions in these societies, polarize voters, and sow distrust in the democratic process. The discussion will also address how Russian disinformation has been used to obscure or deny war crimes during elections and in conflict zones, shaping public opinion and international responses. Key topics will include strengthening the resilience of democratic systems and protecting elections from these hybrid threats, with a focus on digital platforms and social media.

Panelists: Election security experts, political consultants, and representatives from democratic institutions.

• Q&A: 10 minutes (included in panel time)
•  

Speakers:

• T.C. Cameron – Former C-Suite speech writer for the Mortgage Bankers Association, working with media strategists from agencies such as FHFA, CFPB, HUD and Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Before moving into communications, Cameron authored four books and was an editor and reporter for 15 years, most recently for the Baltimore Sun Media Group from 2009-2015.
• Lesya Zaburanna – member of Ukrainian parliament, Member of the Permanent Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
• Anna Skorokhod – member of Ukrainian parliament
• Launai Wells – Founder of Launai Wells Consulting and Management.
• Robert Rose – represents DemocracyDefend.com, an affiliation of artists committed to fighting fascism and defending democracy, filmmaker.

Closing Remarks: Combating Russian Disinformation: 5 minutes

• Time: 10:55-11:00
• Description: The closing remarks will summarize the key takeaways from the discussions and offer final thoughts on how to confront the growing threat of Russian disinformation. Special attention will be given to practical recommendations and strategies to counter disinformation, including the need for strengthening international cooperation, enhancing digital literacy, and political initiatives aimed at regulating disinformation on digital platforms. These efforts are crucial for ensuring the security of elections, the protection of human rights, and the integrity of democratic institutions worldwide.

Organizers:

• Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA” is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. It conducts educational and analytical projects in the fields of democracy development and support for reforms. The organization was created by experts in political science, strategic planning, and analytics, and aims to engage active citizens to promote democratic development and build civil society worldwide. Since the establishment, the institute has formulated solutions for domestic politics and democracy development, mentored over 5,000 program participants, written over 30 strategy papers, conducted over 200 events with decision-makers, and written over 50 press releases. For 5+ years, the institute has been actively cooperating with American partners on mutual experience exchange programs (2 exchange programs were implemented), analytical work, and events (including the International GR Forums and the Political Campaign and Management Forums) with American experts in Brussels, Instanbul, and Washington.
• Trainer Association of Ukraine (TAU) is a public organization established in August 2003, dedicated to defending the social, economic, creative, and other shared interests of citizens. TAU promotes gender equality and the development of new modular technologies for integrating social-psychological education into people’s lives to foster healthier, safer living. The organization also aims to raise public awareness and build a civil society. They also held annual Trainer-Consultant Forums in an Open Space format from 2006 to 2010, producing bilingual textbooks to aid in training. Additionally, TAU regularly organized conferences for Eurasia Foundation grant recipients up until 2014. In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, TAU provided psychological support to displaced individuals, including women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. The organization collaborated with teachers in Kyiv to offer art therapy for internally displaced children and has continued supporting local communities through weekly psychological support groups since 2022. TAU has partnered with various organizations on impactful projects, such as the “Art Therapy” initiative and the grant-funded “Business Incubator for Women and Girls from Occupied Mariupol,” supported by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund and the Canadian Government. They also implemented the “Creative Workshops for Women and Girls from Occupied Territories,” aiding those affected by the war. Currently, TAU brings together 176 psychologists and holds weekly group meetings for psychologists and IDP women.
• The Department for Countering Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict of the Office of the Prosecutor General is an independent structural unit of the Office of the Prosecutor General that specializes in combating propaganda and disinformation.
• LingvaLexa was established in 2023 to work in-depth on propaganda-related crimes that lead to the most serious international crimes in armed conflicts. The objective is to collaborate extensively with national law enforcement agencies, aiming to support their efforts in conducting thorough investigations and establishing criminal proceedings that adhere to international standards. The organization actively works on preparing and submitting documents for the imposition of international sanctions. The organization’s partners are the Auschwitz institute, Prosecutor’s training center of Ukraine, and the Clooney Foundation for Justice. The organization is headed by Anna Vyshnyakova, a distinguished expert in international criminal law and currently serves as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, contributing to the shaping of Ukraine’s foreign policy. Throughout her career, Anna has been actively involved in international projects. She served as a legal consultant with the Human Rights Group in Crimea, a field analyst for the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA), and has led numerous initiatives as the head and project coordinator at LingvaLexa NGO, focusing on providing legal consultancy and educational training.
• The news agency “Voice of Crimea” is a think tank investigating the Russian Orthodox Church and a Crimean information project of the public organization “Crimean Center for Business and Cultural Cooperation ‘Ukrainian House’,” established in 2014 with the support of the Media Development Fund of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. NA “Voice of Crimea” is a public media project aimed at covering topics related to Crimea, including materials on the de-occupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Official website: https://www.voicecrimea.com.ua/

28-10-2024

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