Developing a better understanding of information suppression by state authorities as an example of foreign information manipulation and interference
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) goes beyond the much-used concept of “disinformation”, which focusses on the active promotion of messages and pushing out of false/misleading content. FIMI also includes other aspects of how the information environment and civic discourse can be manipulated, notably through the suppression of independent and critical voices. It aims to eliminate – or suppress – from the public sphere certain voices or messages.
This should focus on different aspects, ranging from the individual to the society, to the media, academia, as well as pressure on private industry.
Detailed Call Description
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) includes other aspects of how the information environment and civic discourse can be manipulated, notably through the suppression of independent and critical voices. Information suppression by authoritarian actors can be domestic but also reach outside of their borders.
The research should also look at both the domestic and cross-border dimensions of suppression and catalogue the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) that have been used to suppress information by different actors. This should focus on different aspects, ranging from the individual (harassment, intimidation, etc.) to the society (restriction of fundamental rights and freedoms, including repression of women and minority rights) to the media (restriction of media freedom, pressuring foreign media outlets or journalists), academia (instigating self-censorship, using visa or archive access to pressure foreign researchers) as well as pressure on private industry (forcing social media companies to comply with national, authoritarian rules; using economic coercion to force international companies to be silent on certain issues, etc).
The research will generate a better understanding of the functioning of information suppression as well as its behavioural and societal effects (e.g. self-censorship etc.). This research should contribute to an analytical methodology of how to identify and analyse information suppression in its different forms; it should give policy recommendations on how to reduce the vulnerability to information suppression, how to protect the targets of information suppression and how to respond to it. The policy recommendations, toolkits and methodologies on how to identify information suppression and protect against it should be made accessible to civil society and stakeholders.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
EU Contribution per project: between €2,00 and €3,00 million
Thematic Categories
- Audiovisual sector and Media
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Social Affairs & Human Rights
Eligibility for Participation
- Central Government
- Chambers
- Educational Institutions
- Large Enterprises
- Local Authorities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia
P.O.Box 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Phone Number: +357 22205000
Email Address: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Persons:
Constantina Makri, Scientific Officer
Contact Phone: +357 22 205 054
Contact Email: cmakri@research.org.cy
Katerina Karakasidou, Scientific Officer
Contact Phone: +357 22 205 036
Contact Email: kkarakasidou@research.org.cy
(Publish Date: 23/12/2022-for internal use only)
EU Contact Point
Contact the Research Enquiry Service (RES) for any general question on Horizon Europe:
https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en