In a world awash with information, it’s increasingly tough to tell what’s true and what’s not. Traditional news sources, once our trusted guides, have splintered, leaving us feeling like we’re constantly on the defensive against new stories, each vying for our attention. This constant barrage of diverse narratives, some factual, some not, makes it more crucial than ever to become sharp thinkers when it comes to media – a skill the European Parliament calls “the skills, knowledge and understanding that allow people to use media effectively and safely.” Think of it as our personal superpower against the rising tide of misinformation. A recent study, the 2026 Media Literacy Index, even highlights how prepared European countries are against this “disinformation” onslaught. Nations in the Northwest, like Denmark, Finland, and Ireland, are like well-fortified castles, thanks to their strong education systems, free press, and high levels of trust among their people. Meanwhile, countries in the Southeast, such as Albania and North Macedonia, face a tougher battle. The problem is made even worse by our increasing reliance on social media, which, ironically, often narrows our perspective by feeding us only what aligns with our existing beliefs. This final piece in a series on disinformation aims to arm you, your loved ones, and your community with practical strategies to cut through the noise, drawing on both official guidelines and personal experiences.
One of the first and most fundamental things we need to grasp is something called “confirmation bias.” It’s basically our brain’s tendency to favor information that already confirms what we believe to be true. We all have it, whether we realize it or not. Imagine someone who grew up in the Soviet Union, experiencing hardship and instability during the transition to capitalism in the 1990s. This person might naturally harbor a deep distrust of anything from “the West.” When confronted with narratives about the European Union, they might gravitate towards stories that paint the EU in a negative light, reinforcing their pre-existing beliefs. Psychologically, it’s often hard for people to accept evidence that contradicts their worldview, as it can feel like their entire understanding of reality is crumbling. The trick isn’t to eliminate confirmation bias entirely – that’s practically impossible – but to be aware of it, recognize when it’s influencing our thoughts, and actively work to prevent it from clouding our judgment and stopping us from seeking out a truly informed perspective.
Another tell-tale sign of disinformation is its appeal to our raw emotions, often through sensational headlines and extreme language. How do these narratives manage to stir such strong reactions in us? The answer often lies in how they tap into historical memory. Consider the situation in Ukraine, where many Russians supported Putin’s stated goal of “denazifying” the country. This narrative strategically leverages the deep-seated patriotism and sacrifices associated with the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), twisting a heroic past to serve a present-day agenda. The Kremlin created a powerful, almost sacred, narrative, urging Russians to fulfill a similar “holy duty” of defending the world against Nazism, just as their Soviet ancestors did. So, when you see “sensational headlines, strong language, and dramatic pictures,” those are flashing red lights. But it’s even more powerful to understand how a story is tailored to a specific country, because nothing tugs at a nation’s heartstrings quite like its shared history. Being aware of both these elements is absolutely crucial for recognizing disinformation.
Disinformation also frequently relies on taking information out of context, much like saying “I don’t like fish” and stopping there, when in reality, you just dislike some fish but love seafood. This tactic of deliberately omitting crucial facts is designed to give you a skewed or incomplete picture. Putin’s essay, “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” is a stark example of this. By selectively presenting historical events, he attempts to create an imperialistic view of Ukraine to justify the full-scale invasion that followed. He argues that modern Ukraine is a Soviet creation, conflates Russian culture with the older Rus’ian identity, and shifts blame onto Poland for historical events, all to create the false impression that Russians and Ukrainians are essentially the same people. The lesson here is clear: always, always verify facts, whether they’re about history or current events. Don’t take anything at face value if it feels incomplete or overly simplistic.
The advent of Artificial Intelligence has thrown a new and incredibly convincing wrench into the works: deepfakes. These AI-generated images and videos are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making them cheap and easy to produce for nefarious purposes, particularly by those looking to discredit political opponents. Campaigns against Moldovan President Maia Sandu perfectly illustrate this. Deepfakes have depicted her doing outlandish things, like banning traditional tea, urging citizens to vote for pro-Kremlin candidates while wearing a hijab, and even mocking her nation’s economic woes in a New Year’s Eve speech. When faced with an image or video, skepticism is your best friend. Look for inconsistencies: Does something look out of place? Is what’s being said truly realistic and in line with known protocols? Do body parts seem awkwardly positioned? Does the background fit the season? However, given how advanced these fakes are becoming, it’s increasingly difficult to tell what’s real. When in doubt, the best course of action is always to verify the source.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the power of human connection. Before visiting a new city, you might peek at it on Google Maps, forming an impression in your mind. But it’s only when you physically arrive, feel the atmosphere, see the scale of the buildings, and interact with the people that the full picture truly emerges. The same applies to news and understanding other cultures. Disinformation often encourages us to become “experts” on countries we’ve never visited and people we’ve never met, sometimes even turning us against our own compatriots, as seen in the Baltics and Moldova. So, make an effort to actually talk to people whose lives are directly impacted by these narratives. Strike up a conversation with that student from Kharkiv in your dorm, or ask your Georgian colleague about their experiences at protests in Tbilisi. Explore the meaning behind Belarus Freedom Day. Don’t just rely on what you read or see; engage with lived experiences and challenge your own perspectives. My own journey into understanding disinformation truly deepened after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It became unfathomable to me how anyone could deny or downplay such blatant aggression. This frustration drove me to research and write a Master’s dissertation on the subject. Joining the Young European Ambassadors this year, I became curious about how disinformation specifically impacts the Eastern Partnership countries. What unique stories are told in each nation? Are there common themes? How do external powers react? I came to two key conclusions: first, every country’s disinformation landscape is unique, shaped by its ethnic and linguistic diversity, historical memory, religious influences, state involvement, and media literacy levels. To truly understand it, we must ask: how did this nation arrive at this point? Second, and perhaps most sobering, is the realization that no one is immune to disinformation. I’ve witnessed its influence on political students, military personnel, historians, and teachers. We cannot afford to believe we are impenetrable. These insights, shared in this blog series, are for everyone, as we all navigate this complex and often deceptive information age.