Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) is a serious threat to democratic societies. This phenomenon includes deliberate and coordinated actions by state or non-state actors attempting to alter the information space to undermine democratic values, political processes, and public trust in institutions.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) defines FIMI as manipulative behavior that threatens democratic procedures and values or has the potential to negatively impact them. These actions are intentional, often deceptive, and include:

• Disinformation – the spread of false information to mislead the audience.
• Propaganda – the imposition of political or ideological narratives.
• Information suppression – blocking or restricting access to truthful data.

Such information attacks can destabilize societies, increase polarization, and erode trust in democratic institutions. Below are examples of such operations that have occurred in recent years.

Examples of FIMI Worldwide

1. Covert Operations Taken Down by Meta

In 2024, Meta reported the removal of about 20 covert information operations worldwide. One of the main sources of such operations was Russia, which actively manipulated information, especially during elections in various countries. For instance, Meta’s report revealed information manipulation during the Moldovan elections in the fall of 2024. These operations aimed to discredit democratic processes and deepen social divisions.

2. Disinformation Campaigns in Africa

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies documented numerous cases of FIMI in African countries by Russia, China, and other actors. Their operations aimed to expand influence by spreading false information and manipulating local media. For example, in Burkina Faso and Mali — countries that experienced pro-Russian military coups — manipulative narratives were actively used to justify power shifts and undermine democratic institutions.

3. China’s Fake News as a Global Influence Tool

China also employs sophisticated methods of information manipulation. Its campaigns include the use of artificial intelligence to generate fake news and the launch of counterfeit news websites that shape a positive image of the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China.

How to Counter FIMI?

The European Union combats FIMI through two main approaches: policy implementation and media literacy enhancement.

Policies include the recent incorporation of the Code of Practice on Disinformation within the Digital Services Act, a key EU regulation in the field of digital services. This document includes, among other things, transparency requirements for tech platforms (such as Facebook), demonetization of disinformation spreaders, and creating conditions for disinformation research on platforms (e.g., improving access to raw data).

In media literacy, the EU supports various non-governmental initiatives — such as the European Digital Media Observatory and grant programs for media literacy projects aimed at strengthening resilience against disinformation. These initiatives help citizens critically evaluate information and recognize manipulations.