20 March, 18:11
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has released its annual report analyzing the threats posed by Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in 2024.
As in previous reporting periods, the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China remain key actors engaged in FIMI practices. Their activities are characterized by a high degree of adaptability, including the active use of new technological solutions and the development of mechanisms to circumvent imposed restrictive measures.
One of the significant trends in 2024 has been the large-scale application of artificial intelligence technologies for the creation, automation, and expansion of disinformation content. In particular, such technologies have been employed by major Russian state-controlled media organizations, such as RIA Novosti.
At the same time, China has continued to expand its influence through state media, employing a wide range of FIMI tactics—ranging from traditional information manipulation operations to systematic suppression of critical voices. A key element of China’s strategy has been the engagement of not only official media resources but also private PR firms and individual influencers to increase outreach and obscure content origins.
Based on an analysis of 505 documented FIMI incidents, the report concludes that this threat is global in nature, exerting significant influence on local political processes, particularly election campaigns, both within the European Union and beyond.
Additionally, the report highlights that Russia and China continue to deploy covert infrastructure to conduct FIMI operations, including the establishment of decentralized networks for disseminating misleading narratives with the aim of integrating into local information ecosystems.
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