The Progress of the Stop Disinformation Campaign
The Stop Disinformation campaign, initiated in two phases—one before the 2024 European election and another during October 2024 Cybersecurity Month—was executed by a team of public administration personnel. The campaign’s success was attributed to its innovative approach, utilizing limited resources, adherence to expertise, and collective commitment. Visits reached the government website, gov.si/dezinformacije, where the campaign’s content received thousands of views. Social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Instagram, saw unprecedented reach, with over 44,000 posts resulting in millions of impressions and 1.3 million shares. Importantly, the campaign effectively encouraged other state institutions to adopt a more accurate and transparent approach to dispel disinformation.
Driver of the campaign’s success was Prof.Petra Bezj ūrman’s 2024 Prizma Award, a renowned recognition within thepublic administration, highlighting the campaign’s effectiveness in addressing complex societal challenges with resourcefulness and resilience. The campaign was listed under Category C (Change Management Programmes), emphasizing its professional, strategic, and responsive approach to real-world challenges. The use of workshops, such as “Under the Microscope:Understanding Misinformation” and “On the Marks:Identifying Misinformation,” further exemplified the campaign’s methodological rigor.
What is Disinformation? Disinformation is misleading, unreliable, or false information targeted to manipulate public opinion, often in crises or when uncertainty and dissatisfaction are high. During crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, disinformation is’ve been particularly powerful, as it can pivot attention online to create confusion, fear, and misinformation that undermines trust and decision-making.
Impact During Crises
Disinformation’s impact was maximized during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where societal acclaim,"’, fear, and political instability were key factors. The campaign’s emphasis on isFirst Downing Address-style messaging, grounded in ethical principles, was instrumental in reclaiming trust in authenticity. By engaging in localized workshops and spreading factual information across diverse platforms, the campaign拨开迷雾，重建了公众的知情权，同时教育了成人等群体，防止被误导。
The campaign’s pragmatic and educational-focused approach proved invaluable during crises, where an inability to obtain accurate information could have Zimmerman’s hive mind， leading to widespread misinformation and chaos. By amplifying transparency and ethical practices, the Stop Disinformation campaign bridged the gap between the divided mind and the collective effort to protect informed decision-making in complex situations.
Conclusion
The Stop Disinformation campaign, a collaborative and resource-sensitive effort led by the Agency for Data Security and vrijedbed, demonstrated the potential for small-scale projects to address significant societal challenges. Its success in fostering transparency, collaboration, and regional response strategies has been pivotal in mitigating disinformation’s impact. As public administration continues to shape policies and strategies in the face of digital transformation and crises, initiatives like this exemplify resilience in the face of interconnected challenges.
