The 25 organizations in the EDMO fact-checking network, including Mimikama, that contributed to this monthly report published a total of 1,337 fact-checking articles in April 2022. Of these articles, 580 (43%) addressed disinformation and content about Ukraine. While this percentage is down from the previous month (59%), it is still one of the highest percentages of disinformation on a single topic ever found in these briefs.

The decrease in the percentage is most likely due to several factors: a slowdown in the Russian offensive on the ground in April, the fading of the shock effect registered in March, and relevant local events (e.g. the elections in France or in Slovenia). Covid-19 related topics remained quantitatively at the same low level as in the previous month.

Of the 1,337 fact-checking articles published in March by the 25 organizations* in the EDMO Fact-Checking Network that contributed to this report, 107 (8%) addressed COVID-19-related disinformation. This percentage is similar to March (9%). The main argument is an already known one, namely that vaccines are very dangerous: they supposedly cause heart attacks, hepathitis, AIDS and, in general, various adverse events.

The current EDMO report:

According to the current report, “classic” fake news and disinformation on the following topics were spread again in many EU countries in April:

  • Migrants, foreigners
  • EU policies/decisions
  • Electric vehicles (e.g.)
  • Equality policy (e.g.)

The four most widely circulated false stories in the EU in April, based on Factchecker reports, were:

  • The terrible scenes in Bucha were staged by the Ukrainian armed forces (e.g.)
  • Videos/images/messages showing Zelensky's cocaine use (e.g.)
  • The model of the rocket that hit Kramatorsk proves Ukraine's responsibility
  • Evidence of electoral fraud in France (e.g.)

According to the report, in April we were faced with seven internationally widespread narratives about the Ukraine war, which differed slightly from country to country, but all had the same core:

  • The Russian invasion is actually justified – a common twist discovered in April is that the conflict is a “proxy war” and Russia is defending itself against NATO aggression.
  • Volodymyr Zelensky is a Nazi, a Satanist, a drug addict, a coward, etc.
  • The Ukrainians and the Ukrainian armed forces are mostly Nazis.
  • Pro-Russia war propaganda (e.g.) and pro-Ukrainian war propaganda.
  • Western traditional media spreads false news/false images about the war.
  • Ukrainian refugees are violent, fascists, thieves, etc. This narrative was found to be particularly widespread in Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic.
  • Exaggerated negative economic consequences of the war and sanctions in Europe.

These narratives are supported by numerous fake news stories spread across Europe, as noted in the latest weekly EDMO findings on disinformation about Ukraine (listed HERE ). The monthly report as a PDF can be found HERE

This might also be of interest : Startups fear increased attacks in cyberspace. Three quarters expect an increased threat situation for their own startup and one in four have already increased their own protective measures. Continue reading …


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )