Who we are?
The Civic Resilience Initiative (CRI) is a Lithuanian non-profit,
non governmental organization founded in 2018 in Vilnius,
Lithuania by a group of experts based all around Europe. CRI aims
to increase the resilience in the spheres of security,
media-literacy, disinformation, cyber, civil and grass-root
activities, empowering the civil societies to actively engage in
educational activities themselves. CRI brings together experts
excelling in a variety of resilience topics, providing insights
into the educational process of various age groups, where official
governmental institutions are unable to fill the gaps. CRI excels
in organizing off-site workshops, conferences and trainings with
the best experts in their fields.
Established in 2019, the Baltic Security Foundation (BSF) promotes
the security and defense of the Baltic Sea region. The BSF is a
result of the Baltic Security Strategy Project (2017-2019) that
gathered experts on defence, societal security and economic
security to assess the shared challenges for the Baltic States and
recommend solutions. The BSF joins Baltic experts and security
experts from the region and beyond. It provides a platform for
discussion and research, expert networking, scholar mobility, and
promotes finding and advocating for solutions that lead to a
stronger regional security in military and other areas.
About CRI Disinformation Monitoring
Why We Do It:
In an era where information is power, disinformation acts as a formidable adversary, undermining the very fabric of democratic societies. At CRI, we recognize the urgent need to combat this threat to preserve the integrity of our information landscape. Our Disinformation Monitoring project specifically addresses the growing concern of authoritarian influence, notably from China and Russia, in the Baltic states. By illuminating these deceptive narratives, we aim to fortify the resilience of our societies against such subversive tactics.
Why It's Important:
Disinformation is not just misinformation; it is a strategic tool used to manipulate public opinion, distort truth, and sow discord. In the context of the Baltic states, where historical and geopolitical factors render them particularly vulnerable to foreign influence, the stakes are especially high. Our work is critical in not only identifying and analyzing these deceptive narratives but also in educating the public and policymakers about their nature and impact. This understanding is pivotal for the development of effective counter-strategies to safeguard our democracies.
Why It's Important:
While our methodology, detailed separately, outlines the technical aspects of how we monitor and analyze disinformation, our approach is deeply rooted in a commitment to truth and transparency. We believe in empowering communities with knowledge, offering clarity in a sea of confusion. Our multi-faceted strategy involves not only identifying and dissecting disinformation but also actively engaging with the public and stakeholders to foster awareness and resilience.
Our Approach:
While our methodology, detailed separately, outlines the technical aspects
of how we monitor and analyze disinformation, our approach is deeply
rooted in a commitment to truth and transparency. We believe in empowering
communities with knowledge, offering clarity in a sea of confusion. Our
multi-faceted strategy involves not only identifying and dissecting
disinformation but also actively engaging with the public and stakeholders
to foster awareness and resilience.
Consequences of Inaction:
Without active monitoring and analysis of disinformation, societies remain vulnerable to manipulation. The risk extends beyond mere misinformation; it challenges the very principles of democracy, freedom of speech, and trust in institutions. Our initiative serves as a bulwark against these threats, striving to maintain a media landscape where truth prevails and public discourse is not tainted by hidden agendas.
Looking Forward:
The battle against disinformation is continuous and evolving. As we adapt to new challenges and narratives, our commitment to protecting the integrity of information in the Baltic states remains unwavering. Through our work, we aspire not just to counteract disinformation but to foster an informed, resilient society capable of discerning truth from falsehood. Together, we stand as a testament to the power of collective resilience in the face of adversity.
Methodology of Disinformation Monitoring in the Baltic States
Introduction:
The Civic Resilience Initiative (CRI) stands as a beacon of resilience for
societies in Lithuania and its neighboring Baltic regions. Dedicated to
understanding the intricacies of disinformation, CRI's primary objective is
to dissect and counteract the influence of authoritarian regimes,
particularly from China and Russia, on the Baltic media landscape.
At the heart of this initiative is a specialized team dedicated to overseeing monitoring in the three Baltic countries. This team is equipped with the tools and expertise to navigate the complex web of disinformation. The project also places significant emphasis on understanding the broader ecosystem, which includes identifying main actors, networks, and operations. Legal readiness assessments, actionable recommendations, and outreach activities form the pillars of the project's broader impact strategy.
At the heart of this initiative is a specialized team dedicated to overseeing monitoring in the three Baltic countries. This team is equipped with the tools and expertise to navigate the complex web of disinformation. The project also places significant emphasis on understanding the broader ecosystem, which includes identifying main actors, networks, and operations. Legal readiness assessments, actionable recommendations, and outreach activities form the pillars of the project's broader impact strategy.
Our Methodology:
1. Agile Monitoring Approach:
The dynamism of the media landscape necessitates an agile approach. This
ensures that the monitoring process remains relevant and timely, capturing
the most recent developments and trends in the Baltic countries.
- Purpose:
- The primary goal is to adapt to the ever-evolving narratives and stories that shape the media landscape. This continuous adaptation ensures that no significant event or trend goes unnoticed.
- Implementation:
- Through regular reviews of monitored topics and events, the focus areas are adjusted. This flexibility ensures that the latest narratives, whether they emerge suddenly or evolve over time, are always within the monitoring purview.
2. Two-Fold Analysis:
The analysis is bifurcated to ensure both breadth and depth in
understanding the disinformation landscape.
Quantitative Analysis:
Qualitative Analysis:
Quantitative Analysis:
- Focus:
- Kremlin-aligned outlets in each Baltic country are the primary subjects. These outlets, known for their alignment with the Russian perspective, often serve as conduits for divisive narratives.
- Process:
- A meticulous manual examination of articles and posts is conducted. This deep dive aims to understand the frequency and spread of divisive, polarizing, and trust-undermining narratives.
- Outcome:
- The result is a rich tapestry of statistical insights. These insights shed light on narrative trends, repetitive messages, and the overall extent of disinformation spread.
Qualitative Analysis:
- Focus:
- The spotlight here is on the top stories that emerge across all media outlets and social platforms during the monitored period.
- Process:
- Each story undergoes a comprehensive analysis. Experts, with a deep understanding of the local context, assess the societal context of these stories, their resonance with audiences, the demographics targeted, and the underlying messages. The goal is to discern how these stories might polarize societies and which narratives gain the most traction.
- Outcome:
- The culmination of this analysis is a series of detailed expert reports. These reports offer a profound understanding of the stories' impact on the public, their potential long-term implications, and the strategies behind them.
3. Data Collection & Reporting:
Data serves as the backbone of this initiative. The frequency and scope of
data collection are tailored to ensure a comprehensive understanding.
- Frequency:
- While the weekly data collection ensures a real-time pulse on media activities, the monthly reports provide a more consolidated and analytical view.
- Scope:
- The monitoring spectrum is vast, spanning Kremlin-aligned outlets, independent media, their comment sections, and Kremlin-sympathetic outlets. In the realm of social media, platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are primary targets. However, the flexibility exists to incorporate others based on their relevance during specific periods.
- Report Structure:
- Experts from each Baltic country craft detailed three-page monthly reports. These documents are a synthesis of main findings, overviews, expert analyses, and insights from tools like Awario. They serve as a window into both statistical and visual data, offering a holistic view of the disinformation landscape.
4. Tool Integration & Enhancement:
Modern challenges require modern solutions. The project integrates
cutting-edge tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Web Scraping
- : Oxylabs' web scraping tools are pivotal in extracting relevant data from the web. This ensures that no relevant piece of information is missed.
- Sentiment Analysis:
- The sentiment analysis process, based on Awario’s media monitoring tools undergoes continuous refinement. This enhancement ensures a nuanced understanding of public reactions to various narratives, providing a clearer picture of their impact.
- Data Analysis:
- AI-enhanced tools are employed to accelerate the data analysis process. This integration ensures that insights are timely, relevant, and actionable.