Romania’s Susceptibility to Hybrid Threats related to Disinformation – The Necessity of Developing a National Strategy to Counter Fake News, along with the Requisite Framework for its Effective Implementation

This paper provides an analysis of the current efforts at both national and international levels to prevent and combat disinformation, with the goal of highlighting Romania’s vulnerability to this phenomenon and proposing institutional, coordinated, and unified measures for its effective management. Following a brief introduction to the contemporary security context, along with a concise overview of the recent evolution of disinformation, the paper proceeds to define and explain the key concepts within this field. The analysis then examines the international landscape, focusing on the efforts of global organizations to address disinformation, as well as showcasing examples of countries that have successfully implemented institutional measures to tackle this issue. At national level, the paper evaluates the responses from government institutions, academia, civil society, international organizations, the media, and private sector initiatives dedicated to combating disinformation. The paper concludes with a set of key findings and recommendations, emphasizing the need for unified action in managing disinformation through the establishment of a national strategy. It further proposes the creation or expansion of dedicated structures to implement this strategy, along with the development of the necessary mechanisms to prevent and counter the analysed phenomenon.