Gov’s lacks“systemic approach” to combat disinformation, it spreads anti-western narratives – TI Georgia

Transparency International Georgia on Friday said the Georgian government lacked a “systematic approach” to combat disinformation, and “moreover, it often appears as a disseminator of anti-Western narratives”. 

The report by the organisation stressed it was necessary for the government to update its strategic documents in accordance with the “growing disinformation threats”, show political will and be effective in dealing with the existing challenges.

TI Georgia noted departments in charge with cyber security matters had been set up in several state agencies, but they were unable to ensure precise analysis of the issue, inter-departmental coordination and the effectiveness of specific actions.

“Due to the unavailability of information about the activities of state agencies, it is difficult to see a unified picture of the ways in which the government is comparing disinformation. In many cases their actions are formal or based on the political agenda of the ruling party”, the report said. 

The report stressed the government agencies were not effective in informing the public in a timely manner against Russian disinformation narratives and mitigating their harmful influence.

“Anti-Western, discrediting and disinformation statements of government officials against Western partners, ambassadors, non-governmental organizations, strategic partners sow skepticism towards the West in the population, divides society and strengthens the influence of Russian disinformation in the country”, the report said, adding the ruling party “deliberately spreading disinformation against opponents, critical media or representatives of the non-governmental sector through inauthentic accounts or fake pages on social media”.