STRATCOM UNDER PRESSURE 2025

"StratCom in Europe Under Pressure" — Tradition of StratCom in European countries varies from country to country, institution to institution. What is a current state-of-affairs of StratCom and security and defense from the point of view of EU and NATO? Have we collectively moved forward since 2014 in defense against ever-flowing Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns? Have we changed or intensified our efforts since 2022? Introduced by: Miroslav Mizera, Hoaxes and Frauds

Besides strategic documents, structures and expert personal coverage, high-level political support and understanding of the issue are vital for success of StratCom and countering disinformation. What did we do right and where we fell apart?

Where is StratCom in Slovak and Czech information ecosystem as well as countering disinformation? What is the role and potential of "alternative media"? What twists and turns of social media from good servants to bad masters are we experiencing? How can standard media compete with them and stand their position?

Foreign meddling in internal political life and processes such as elections seriously damage healthy democratic environment in European countries. In 2024-2025, we experienced that with reported evidence, growing confidence and innovation of malign actors. What are lessons learned and best practices?

What strategies does state possess to counter disinformation? What strategies in cyber security and digital space does it apply? What can we do better, faster, stronger? Who are our closest partners?

Full-scale Russian military aggression to Ukraine in 2022 with strong dimension of hybrid warfare has exposed European countries to unprecedented complex of hybrid threats, including disinformation. Where were we proactive, defensive, what are the lessons learned, missed opportunities or internal and external threats in this regard?

Hacker's attacks, influx of disinformation and social media algorithms as part of their business models are challenging our values, interests and way of life. What tools can we deploy, what are possibilities of public-private partnership, where are morals and ethic boundaries of countering disinformation?