Foreign disinformation and manipulation campaigns: expert witnesses give evidence
6 February 2025
The Foreign Affairs Committee holds the first evidence session in its inquiry into disinformation diplomacy
- Watch the evidence session: Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy
- Inquiry: Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy
- Foreign Affairs Committee
Witnesses
Tuesday 11 February 2025, the Grimond  Room, Portcullis House
At 2.00pm
- Dr Jon Roozenbeek – Lecturer in Psychology and Security, King’s College London
- Professor Martin Innes – Co-Director of the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute, Cardiff University
- Professor Vera Tolz-Zilitinkevic – Sir William Mather Professor of Russian Studies, University of Manchester
The Committee hears from expert witnesses on malign actors using disinformation – also known as foreign information manipulation – to interfere with democratic values and institutions.
Questions cover the nature, origins and techniques of foreign disinformation campaigns, and ask what the UK can do to combat these.
There is likely to be a particular focus on Russian disinformation. Topics may include the doctrine of “active measures” and the “doppelganger operation” – a recent Russian disinformation campaign, that sought to undermine Western nations’ support for Ukraine.
Questions may focus on the upcoming general elections in Europe, such as the elections in Germany and Romania, and the threat that disinformation poses to these.
The session is likely to cover the best interventions to counteract foreign disinformation campaigns. The challenges posed by encrypted apps and artificial intelligence are likely to also be covered.
Further information
Image: Unsplash