MEDIA LITERACY AS A TOOL TO COUNTER FOREIGN POLITICAL DISINFORMATION IN FINLAND
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2524-2679-2024-03-87-98Keywords:
disinformation, media literacy, information warfare, propaganda, manipulation, media space, foreign political influence, hybrid threats, information security, social mediaAbstract
The purpose of this article is to examine Finland's system of countering foreign political information interference, with a particular focus on the critical role of media literacy in ensuring national information security. The research explores key disinformation campaigns targeted at Finland, carried out by the Russian Federation and China. Historical, classification, comparative analysis, and con- tent analysis methods were employed. The article assesses the effectiveness of government support for media literacy strategies, institutional efforts, and in- ternational cooperation in countering disinformation. Special attention is given to the correlation between high levels of media literacy in Finnish society and the country's ability to effectively counter external information threats. The legal and documentary framework regulating disinformation countermeasures in Finland is also analyzed. The conclusion drawn is that successful resistance to foreign political disinformation in Finland is based on a comprehensive ap- proach combining high media literacy, legal regulation, and international col- laboration.
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