Memory and Disinformation Studies

25 November 2021

Online Information Manipulation: Experiences, Challenges, and International Practice

Developing effective tools for monitoring large-scale information disseminated online also remains an important challenge in the Georgian context. Usually, for small languages such as Georgian, such tools are rarely available, and existing monitoring tools require considerable human resources and time investment. In addition, the issue of public trust and authority of civil society as one of the most active sectors working against information manipulation, is noteworthy. A low level of trust has a negative impact on the efforts of the civil society sector to reduce the negative effects of information manipulation and disinformation campaigns in society and to prevent the socio-political polarization based on them. Along with the issue of trust, when it comes to mechanisms to combat online information manipulation, the issue of a unified evaluation and monitoring system remains challenging for civil society organizations in the country.

22 November 2021

IDFI Held an Online Lecture for Student on Digital Security and Rights Issues

On November 22, 2021 staff members of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Teona Turashvili and Nino Gozalishvili held an online discussion with students. The participants were presented with the findings of the study conducted on the issues of digital security and rights.

15 November 2021

IDFI's Statement in Support of the Society “Memorial”

On November 25, 2021, the Supreme Court of Russia will consider the claim for liquidation of the Society Memorial, filed by the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation.

1 November 2021

Participants of the Workshop of the Disinformation and Propaganda Program were Awarded Certificates

The participants of the workshop held within the joint academic program of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the University of Georgia (UG) were awarded with the certificates.

22 October 2021

Visit of the scientists of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) to Batumi - planning search and exhumation work of the victims of the Soviet Terror

From October 20 to October 22, 2021, representatives of the scientists of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), Deputy Head of the Department of Archeology Tomasz Borkowski, and archaeologist Krzysztof Mikolajczyk visited Batumi at the invitation of the Bishop of the Diocese of Batumi and Lazeti. While there, they inspected the graves of the repressed people from the years 1937-1938. The visit of Polish specialists was organized by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information.

20 October 2021

Effects of Manipulation of Information Online: Who Should Develop and Implement the Necessary Mechanisms

In recent years, trends of information manipulation and propaganda in online spaces have been spreading with unprecedented speed and constant alterations of strategy.

19 October 2021

An Educational Week on the Soviet Repressions was held at the Batumi Gymnasium Boarding School

From October 11 to October 15, 2021, the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) carried out the major activities at the St. Mathias Apostle Gymnasium-Boarding School in Batumi as part of a project funded by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

29 September 2021

Death as the Main Narrative of Election Campaigns in Georgia

After Georgia regained its independence, with the country on the path to democratization, Georgian politics became an arena of emotions, personal revenge, marginalization of the persona of the adversaries, and information manipulation of society. On this platform, death still plays one of the leading roles.

27 September 2021

Information Integrity Coalition - Presentation

Civil society and media organizations formed the Information Integrity Coalition. The main goal of the coalition is to raise awareness of disinformation and anti-Western propaganda in society and to form a common national and public approach in response to these threats. This is especially important during elections when voters have to make an informed choice.

21 September 2021

Academic and Certificate Program: Disinformation and Propaganda Research: History, Theories and Means of Debunking was Launched

Selection of the participants is completed for the academic program: Disinformation and Propaganda Research: History, Theories and Means of Debunking. The educational program is jointly organized by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the University of Georgia (UG).