Social Media

Members of the Tunisian Journalists Union rally in support of imprisoned Moroccan journalists Omar Radi and Souleimane Raissouni on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2021.

Thu, Nov 17, 2022

How inauthentic Facebook accounts targeted detained Moroccan journalists

Facebook removed a network of user accounts with potential links to Morocco-based campaign de-platformed in 2021

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Africa Civil Society
Ukrainians people living in Krakow and their supporters are seen during the Solidarity With Ukraine protest in Krakow's Main Square, on the 232nd day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Fri, Nov 11, 2022

Russian War Report: Ukrainians celebrate in Kherson as Russia evacuates the city

As Russian forces retreat from Kherson, Ukrainians celebrate online and in-person. While the overall status of the withdrawal remains in flux, today’s footage shows Russia is no longer in control of the central parts of Kherson. 

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony before talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 3, 2018. (Source: Reuters/Thomas Peter)

Wed, Nov 9, 2022

China spearheads social media campaign to attack civil society in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party targets opposition figures with Chinese government assistance.

by Kenton Thibaut

Africa China
A man stands next to a building damaged by shelling during border clashes with Azerbaijan in the town of Jermuk, Armenia, September 15, 2022.

Mon, Nov 7, 2022

How the September 2022 Azerbaijan-Armenia clashes played out online

Inorganic Twitter activity, graphic Telegram footage of war crimes, and TikTok bans all surfaced in wake of recent clashes.

by Givi Gigitashvili, Esteban Ponce de León

Armenia Azerbaijan
Protesters hold up signs as they take part in the 'Crisis Strike', a demonstration against the passivity of the Polish government in the face of the challenges related to the war in neighbouring Ukraine, the energy crisis and the climate crisis in Warsaw, Poland on 28 October, 2022. Several hundred people including members of the Agro Unia farmer's union and Greenpeace marched throuhg the city center. (Photo by Jaap Arriens / Sipa USA)No Use Germany.

Fri, Nov 4, 2022

Russian War Report: Kremlin-controlled outlet rehashes narrative that Poland plans to annex western Ukraine 

Once again, Kremlin media alleged that Poland was preparing to annex western Ukraine. In April, the site responsible for the reporting was blocked in Poland.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Facebook pages and groups involved in the scheme would post inspiring stories, like the celebration of a Ukrainian soldier’s birthday (left), and replace it with clickbait news coverage (right) once the original post garnered a critical mass of engagement.

Wed, Nov 2, 2022

Facebook pages used bait-and-switch to exploit sympathies for Ukraine war

DFRLab found emotionally charged Facebook posts about the Ukraine war were later edited to promote clickbait articles.

by Roman Osadchuk

Armenia Caucasus

Mon, Oct 31, 2022

Russian War Report: Heavy fighting expected in Kherson as Prigozhin aims to boost Wagner operations

Heavy fighting expected in Kherson, while disinformation on Facebook continues. The Polish Senate also declares Russia a terrorist regime.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia
A family says farewell to their friends and families before departing for the UK at Hong Kong International Airport, July 18, 2021.

Thu, Oct 20, 2022

Chinese state media, content farms spread anti-UK narratives to halt Hong Kong emigration

Narratives amplified UK’s COVID challenges and presented its Hong Kong visa program as a scam.

by Kenton Thibaut

Asia Pacific China

Wed, Oct 19, 2022

Footage raises additional questions about Wagner presence in Sudan

Videos allegedly show Wagner personnel training Sudanese Army and RSF paramilitary forces.

by Tessa Knight, Private: Mattia Caniglia, Ruslan Trad

Africa Business
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy speaks at a conference via a hologram. A behind-the-scenes video documenting the recording of the hologram was used in false narratives claiming the president had fled the country.

Fri, Oct 14, 2022

Pro-Kremlin influencers reignite Zelenskyy “green screen” theory

Narrative recycles old footage of the Ukrainian president recording a hologram to allege he fled the country

by Roman Osadchuk

Conflict Disinformation
Ukrainian first responders attempt to quash a fire ignited by a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, October, 11, 2022. (Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Reuters Connect

Fri, Oct 14, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia escalates war by targeting cities across Ukraine

Russia escalated its war against Ukraine this week with missile attacks and airstrikes on cities across the country, including the first serious attack in the capital Kyiv in months.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarus Civil Society
A person wearing Guy Fawkes mask, attends a solidarity protest for Mahsa Amini in Washington DC on October 1, 2022.

Thu, Oct 13, 2022

Analysis: Why Iranian protesters are embracing Anonymous

The decentralized hacker movement has vowed to free the people of Iran, mirroring chants of protesters on the street

by Simin Kargar

Civil Society Electorate