This year, Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs wants to focus, among other things, on the protection of the information space. Its aim is to actively refute misinformation about foreign policy developments not only in the online space, but also plans to travel around Slovakia and talk to citizens in the regions.
According to interim Foreign Minister Rastislav Káčer the information environment is currently permeated with lies and biased information, with social networking algorithms playing a significant role in the situation. "This means that many people make everyday decisions that are not based on facts," he stated. He therefore considers it important for the state to be visible in the online space and fill it with objective information.
According to Kácer, more or less every country struggles with the problem of misinformation. He pointed out that in Slovakia their negative impact is deepened by the fact that many active politicians are among the biggest disseminators. On the other hand, he welcomes the clear foreign policy stance of the government, because it is the actions and attitudes of its representatives that are perceived by Slovakia's foreign partners.
In this regard, he pointed out that a quality information environment is essential for the proper functioning of democracy. "Disinformation, especially that coming from the Russian Federation, has the intention of fracturing our unity in the EU or NATO, destroying democratic institutions and attacking democracy itself," he concluded.
The role of the ministry, he said, is therefore to explain to the Slovak public why the country is part of the EU and NATO and why Slovakia wants to belong to the "democratic West". Káčer stressed that the state cannot be left alone in the fight against propaganda. "That is why I have long been appealing to everyone who can communicate within their community to do so," he added.
Source: TASR
