Disinformation on migration after the invasion of Ukraine

Building up resilience against fake news

Due to disinformation, a majority of Europeans believe that the migrant population in the EU is 16% when it is actually less than half that number! It’s just 7%. Disinformation distorts perceptions and shapes political discourse. It taps into people’s worries, amplifying them. Manipulated statistics, out-of-context information, and false claims about migrants and refugees are particularly pervasive.

How can we fight disinformation? You can now watch the event where we discussed it. You can also find a few highlights in this Twitter thread.

This event follows two studies by FEPS, the European Policy Center and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2020 study and 2021 study). A third study will be published soon. You can find more about FEPS’ work on disinformation and migration here!

This event is the first in a series of three which will take place across Europe (Brussels, Berlin and Rome), with the purpose of raising awareness for concrete methods for identifying and “prebunking” disinformation on migration. In continuation of FEPS, EPC and FES’ previous work on the topic, and drawing upon lessons learned from the ongoing refugee influx from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, a new report will be published in 2022. 

This first hybrid event in Brussels discussed the actions needed to build up societal resilience against disinformation and promote a more balanced and informed public discourse on migration. It will also offer an opportunity to reflect on existing and future challenges, particularly in relation to the displacement of millions of Ukrainians in Europe.

Speakers:

• Alberto-Horst Neidhardt Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre
• Myria Georgiou Professor of Media and Communication, London School of Economics
• László Andor Secretary General, Foundation for European Progressive Studies
• Tina Zournatzi Head of Communications, DG HOME, European Commission
• Brando Benifei Member of the European Parliament (S&D)
• Hrishabh Sandilya Senior Programme Manager, European Programme for Integration and Migration; and Co-Founder, ReImagined Futures

Moderator Hedwig Giusto FEPS Senior Research Fellow and Editor-in-Chief of the Progressive Post

🗣️Besides, a series of events have been organised:
🇧🇪 Disinformation on Migration, 28 September, Brussels, Belgium.
🇩🇪 Strategien gegen migrationsbezogene Desinformation, 21 October, Berlin, Germany.
🇮🇹 Migrazione e disinformazione dopo l’invasione dell’Ucraina, 7 November, Rome, Italy.