Amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and hybrid conflicts, the Republic of Moldova has become a frontline testing ground for the Kremlin’s evolving influence and disinformation campaigns. These efforts, seen during recent parliamentary and presidential elections, are part of a broader, rapidly adaptable strategy strengthened by new technologies, including AI.
In this context, journalist Daniela Calmîș speaks with Professor Martin Innes, a leading international expert on security, criminology, and information influence operations, and director of the Crime and Security Research Institute at Cardiff University. Drawing on extensive research, he examines how disinformation has evolved, who drives it, and why Moldova—despite its vulnerabilities—offers important lessons in societal resilience.
The interview explores the Soviet roots of modern disinformation, the role of emerging technologies, and the delicate balance between freedom of expression and information security in an era where truth and manipulation increasingly blur.
The full interview is available in Romanian here.
Daniela Calmîș prepared this interview as part of The Berlin Journalism School’s (BJS) Strengthening Resilience Against Disinformation program, which is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.