RESONANT

ABSTRACT:

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) including information suppression concern a series of threatening behaviours in the information domain and represents a major challenge, in terms of counteraction and the policy-making in this matter. Numerous FIMI operations carried out by non-EU State and non-State actors, often recorded within and beyond EU borders, aims to domestically threaten fundamental rights and freedoms and could as well produce threatening effects outside of their borders. The RESONANT project aims to create a better picture and understanding of State and non-State actors applying information suppression and to recommend strategies, tools and methodologies to reduce the impact and the vulnerability of the target groups, as the Diaspora Communities. In order to understand which actors outside the EU use in a coordinated manner Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPS) of information suppression, RESONANT proposes to analyse information suppression incidents, thus creating an Evidence Base. Considering both the domestic and cross-border dimensions of information suppression, the project will also examine the mainly adopted TTPs, as well as the available Tools for their Detection and Analysis. For enhancing the knowledge regarding the effects of information suppression, RESONANT proposes an analysis of Behavioural changes in Diaspora Communities as result of information suppression and of the Awareness and Preparation of EU State Authorities in terms of practical legal means, providing selected Case Studies. Furthermore, the project will propose the definition of a Methodological Toolkit and Policy Recommendations, as well as the organisation of Table Top Exercises and Focus Group Policy Discussion, for addressing information suppression and FIMI. RESONANT will realise a Handbook of methodologies and policy recommendations, contributing to communicate and disseminate practical means to counter information suppression and FIMI.
 

AIM (WHAT):

The main ambition of the RESONANT project is to foster deeper understanding of non-EU state and non-state actors systematically applying information suppression, and to recommend ways, tools and methodologies to reduce the impact of their actions and the vulnerability of their target groups (especially diaspora communities). The project relies on the following specific objectives: (i) mapping of the non-EU countries using information suppression; (ii) conceptual definition of information suppression; (iii) analysis of tactics, techniques, and procedures used to suppress information; (iv) analysis of the effect of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) on diaspora communities; (v) analytical methodology for the identification and analysis of information suppression; and (vi) policy recommendations for vulnerability reduction and target protection.

METHODOLOGY (HOW)

To achieve its ambition, the RESONANT consortium has developed a plan consisting of six Work Packages. The planned activities involve desk research, database creation, interviews with security practitioners and diaspora representatives, a controlled experiment on the efficacy of tools currently available to combat disinformation, focus group discussions, and workshops. 

IMPACT (WHY)

RESONANT will make multiple significant contributions, which include, among others: providing a more detailed overview of the risks and threats of FIMI, fostering understanding of the legal requirements for operating tools for FIMI detection, and developing policy recommendations based on discussions with a minimum of 30 stakeholders amongst the identified target groups. Overall, the project will strengthen European capacity to anticipate, detect, and tackle FIMI behaviours, as well as the risks that they pose to fundamental rights and freedoms.