The compendium, “Manipulating the public discourse: Disinformation and Propaganda,” is an essential compilation for those seeking to understand and navigate the complex landscape of disinformation that has proliferated in recent years. It brings together a diverse array of texts, fact-checking articles, in-depth analyses, and reviews covering 2023. The year was marked by significant global and regional challenges, including geopolitical shifts, the war in Ukraine. In North Macedonia and the region, disinformation has frequently been employed as a tool to undermine democratic processes. This publication addresses a spectrum of topics where disinformation and misinformation have been particularly extensive. It delves into how geopolitical narratives, the impacts of the war in Ukraine, pandemic-related misinformation, and skewed representations of family values and the European Union have been manipulated to sway public opinion and distort reality. The contents of this publication serve not only as a public record of these events but also as a resource for anyone interested in understanding the tactics and implications of disinformation. It is a fragment of the great work undertaken by my colleagues at Metamorphosis Foundation, particularly at Truthmeter.mk, who have dedicated themselves to the tireless pursuit of truth.
Their efforts in fact-checking and critical analysis are crucial in combatting the harmful effects of disinformation.