This study explores the mechanisms, methods, and effects of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in the Republic of North Macedonia, with particular focus on national security, the media landscape, and social cohesion. As a country with a strategic position in the region, a NATO member, and a candidate for European Union (EU) membership, North Macedonia is facing increased informational threats from various state and non-state actors. These influences have the potential to disrupt democratic processes, weaken institutions, and foster public distrust. The study reveals that foreign interference and information manipulation is not an isolated phenomenon but part of broader hybrid strategies that combine disinformation, geopolitical narratives, and cyber operations to shape public opinion and political decision-making. The analysis covers several domains, including institutional preparedness (with emphasis on good governance), traditional media, the digital space and social networks, local communities, and civil society organizations. Read more here.
Source: IKS