The third panel discussion within the framework of the Second Black Sea Security Conference
The third panel discussion “Information Impact Weapons: How Russia Destabilizes the Black Sea Region” was held by Shota Utiashvili, Senior Fellow, Rondeli Foundation, Georgia; Mariia Sahaidak, Head of the Strategic Communication Department, Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security, Ukraine; Constantin Uzdriș, Journalist of TVR Moldova; Remus Cernea, War correspondent in Ukraine, Newsweek Romania. The discussion was moderated by Olga Skrypnyk, Head of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group.
Olga Skrypnyk highlighted that civilian journalists are being illegally detained by the occupiers who accuse them of “terrorism”. Currently, there are at least 18 media workers who are in prison and are being denied medical care.
The Head of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group added that after the occupation of the Kherson region in 2022, the Russian military abducted journalists from Kherson, transferred them to Crimea, and accused them of collaborating with the Ukrainian military.
“Despite the Soviet authorities’ attempts to make Russian the main language of communication in Georgia, this attempt failed. And now the residents of Sakartvelo hardly speak Russian, and therefore are less exposed to propaganda.” Shota Utiashvili, Senior Fellow, Rondeli Foundation, Georgia, spoke about this at the Second Black Sea Security Conference.
“The Russian language is the greatest weapon. In 1979, they tried to make it the main language in Georgia, but mass demonstrations prevented this from happening. So now our social networks no longer see Russian propaganda. You cannot win this war using the Russian language,” he said.
Mariia Sahaidak, Head of the Strategic Communication Department, Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security, Ukraine, added: ” It all began in 2014 when Russian disinformation and propaganda told and showed everyone what would happen when information was used as a weapon for military purposes. Back in 2014, there was no response, but in 2022, Russian media and propaganda channels were finally banned. But it is not enough to recognize the fact that such a threat exists. And at one of the panels, we heard a call for us to be proactive — not only to respond to Russian propaganda and disinformation but to be proactive. Otherwise, they will be ahead of the truth, and unfortunately, this is how it works. That’s why Russian propaganda and disinformation literally kill people.”
“Russia had a well-developed media infrastructure in Moldova. Therefore, it was very easy for them to explain to Moldovan citizens why they occupied Crimea. In addition, Moscow was very opposed to Moldova’s ability to develop its own media.” Constantin Uzdriș, Journalist of TVR Moldova, stated during the conference.
“Unfortunately, the Moldovan government began blocking Russian media only after the occupation of Crimea, and all Russian media were blocked only after 2022. The aggressor also used social networks, such as Odnoklassniki, very successfully. The Moldovan government made very little effort to increase the media awareness of the population. Now this situation has changed, but we have lost a significant amount of time time,” mentioned Mr. Uzdriș.
“There are many public faces in Romania who indirectly support Russia, trying to put Ukraine in the shadow.” This opinion was expressed by Remus Cernea, a War correspondent in Ukraine, Newsweek Romania.
“There is still a struggle in Romania, there are many public figures who support Russia indirectly. They are not saying that Russia is right, they are trying to somehow put Ukraine in the shadows and make many people think that maybe Russia is not so good, but Ukraine is even more evil. This is a tactic of confusion as if nothing is clear. Because it’s much easier to convince or mislead people. When they are confused, it’s hard for them to decide which side they are on, it becomes much harder for them to choose who is right and who is wrong. And we need to understand this and resist it, we need to demonstrate again and again that there is truth and evidence of truth,” he explained.
He noted that it is not enough to just make statements, but it is critical to demonstrate evidence that the statement is true. In his opinion, this can lead to change.