Disinformation Trends Remain Largely Static in April 2025, with Ukraine, EU, and Immigration Dominating
The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) fact-checking network, comprising 33 organizations, published 1,551 fact-checking articles in April 2025. The dominant themes of disinformation remained consistent with previous months, though some shifts were observed. Disinformation surrounding the war in Ukraine, while still a significant concern, decreased by 6% compared to March and April, returning to levels seen at the end of 2024. This decline may be attributed to the stalled peace negotiations and a relative decrease in media coverage of the conflict. Similarly, EU-related disinformation stabilized after a period of growth, while disinformation concerning climate change saw a slight uptick, potentially linked to a major blackout incident in Spain. Other prominent topics included immigration, COVID-19, LGBTQ+ and gender issues, and the Middle East conflict, but these experienced minimal fluctuations in disinformation activity.
Elections in Portugal, Poland, and Romania Become Targets of Disinformation Campaigns
The month of April witnessed a surge in disinformation campaigns targeting upcoming elections in Portugal, Poland, and Romania. In Romania, prior to the first round of presidential elections on May 4th, disinformation efforts focused on discrediting both Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. False narratives spread online accused Ukraine of discriminating against its Romanian minority and suggested that Ukrainian refugees were attempting to exploit a fast-tracked citizenship process to advance territorial claims against Romania. Furthermore, disinformation narratives falsely claimed persecution of Christians, portraying Russia as their sole protector. Similar narratives regarding attacks on Christian Easter traditions, which also circulated in Germany, were debunked. Lastly, a fabricated story alleging the EU’s plan for total military mobilization against Russia gained traction.
Poland, similarly gearing up for its presidential elections on May 18th, also saw disinformation focusing on Ukraine. Fabricated accusations claimed that Kyiv blamed Poland for creating fake videos depicting forced mobilizations in Ukraine. Another false narrative propagated the idea of thousands of Polish mercenaries perishing in the Kursk region, escalating fears of an impending world war between NATO and Russia. Additional disinformation campaigns in Poland targeted topics such as abortion and migration.
In Portugal, ahead of parliamentary elections also scheduled for May 18th, a significant blackout incident on April 28th immediately became fodder for disinformation. Numerous conspiracy theories emerged, coupled with established Russian disinformation narratives. False claims circulated attributing blame for the blackout to Russia while accusing Western media and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of perpetuating this narrative. Beyond the blackout, disinformation targeted Ukrainians, accusing them of plotting to obtain Portuguese citizenship. A widely disseminated false narrative, also seen in Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and France, accused the EU of planning an imminent switch to the digital euro, aiming to eliminate cash within months.
Detailed Analysis of Disinformation Themes
The decline in Ukraine-related disinformation, despite the ongoing conflict, suggests that fluctuations may be influenced by media attention and major developments in the war. The stabilization of EU-related disinformation may indicate a shift in focus towards other regions or themes, although the upcoming European elections could potentially reignite this area in the near future. The slight increase in climate change disinformation, likely associated with the Spanish blackout, underscores the vulnerability of this topic to exploitation during significant events. The consistent presence of immigration-related disinformation highlights the persistent nature of this theme, likely fuelled by ongoing political and social debates across the EU.
Targeting Elections with Disinformation: A Common Tactic
The coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting elections in Romania, Poland, and Portugal highlight a clear pattern of interference aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially electoral outcomes. The use of divisive topics such as migration, national identity, and the war in Ukraine demonstrates the strategic use of disinformation to exploit existing anxieties and prejudices within these countries. The rapid exploitation of the blackout event in Portugal further illustrates the opportunistic nature of these campaigns, capitalizing on real-world incidents to sow confusion and distrust.
Combating Disinformation: The Role of Fact-Checking and Media Literacy
The continued efforts of EDMO and its partner organizations in debunking false narratives are crucial in combating the spread of disinformation. These efforts, however, must be complemented by increased media literacy among citizens and proactive interventions by social media platforms to prevent the amplification of disinformation campaigns. The ongoing monitoring and analysis of disinformation trends, as exemplified by this report, are essential for understanding the evolving tactics employed by those spreading disinformation and for formulating effective countermeasures. The upcoming elections across Europe will likely continue to be prime targets for disinformation operations, requiring heightened vigilance from fact-checkers, journalists, and policymakers alike.
