President's dispute with government awakens pro-Russian bots

The recent clashes between President Petr Pavel and the government, particularly concerning his attendance at the NATO summit, serve as a stark illustration of how the disinformation landscape operates. As observed by the online group 'Čeští elfové' (Czech Elves), which combats foreign disinformation campaigns, certain pro-Russian accounts are capable of flooding social media with tens of thousands of fabricated posts. These so-called chatbots masquerade as genuine users, polluting the online discourse with falsehoods.

This isn't an isolated incident. Similar campaigns were noted earlier this year when Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský (Pirates) was allegedly pressured via text messages regarding the appointment of a party vice-chairman to a ministerial post. At that time, false narratives emerged online, including baseless claims about President Pavel vacationing in a luxury hotel owned by a Ukrainian oligarch. Such tactics aim to discredit and destabilize, often targeting key political figures during sensitive periods.

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From our analysis, it is not that accounts are newly created, but rather that those that exist are deployed more frequently at such times.

'Čeští elfové' have identified a pattern of increased activity from these disinformation accounts, particularly around significant events like last year's elections. Their analysis focuses on two key metrics: the sheer volume of posts directed against public figures and the intensity of hatred and fear-mongering within that content. While the exact methodology remains confidential, the group's work provides crucial insights into the coordinated efforts to manipulate public opinion and sow discord within the Czech Republic. The sheer scale and coordinated nature of these campaigns underscore the persistent threat of foreign interference in our domestic affairs.

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We monitor, for example, hate speech and the incitement of fear. We use an external analytical tool for this, but I cannot reveal the exact methodology.