Analysis
Politics
European Commission Report Highlights Ukraine’s Gains in Governance, Reform and Resilience
7 November 2024
24 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to the rise in domestic and international tensions. What can be done to maintain Europe’s information sovereignty in light of the US-China dispute, Kremlin propaganda and authoritarian turns in Central Europe?
Pandemics know no borders or social class and may affect everyone. They are by definition global but responses to them are intensely national, characterised by closed borders and people seeking the shelter of their state.
At the same time, the syndrome of a besieged fortress and the populations rallying around the flag during national emergencies is often abused by the governments who manipulate the information to suit their other purposes and absolve themselves from responsibilities.
A review of information politics about COVID-19 allows distinguishing three levels of manipulation.