Conference Warns Disinformation Threatens Democratic Systems

In a stark warning about the health of democratic institutions, experts gathered at Zagreb’s Faculty of Political Science declared that disinformation poses a direct threat to democracy, requiring vigilance from all sectors of society.

The conference, titled “Young Fighters Against Disinformation – Fact-Checking in a Democracy in Crisis,” brought together academics, researchers, and students to address growing concerns about information manipulation, particularly during election periods. Organized jointly by the Faculty and the non-governmental organization Gong as part of their FaktaPolitika project, the event emphasized that combating disinformation requires a coordinated response.

“Electoral cycles have repeatedly seen attempts to manipulate voters online,” said Milica Bogdanović from Gong, who pointed out that responsibility is not equally distributed. She identified politicians, especially candidates for high office and incumbent power holders, as bearing the greatest responsibility for spreading false information. Media outlets that uncritically amplify unverified claims without conducting basic fact-checking were also singled out as significant contributors to the problem.

The role of journalism came under particular scrutiny during the discussions. Kristian Došen of the Faculty of Political Science stressed that fact-checking should not be considered an optional add-on but rather an essential component of journalistic practice. “This responsibility extends beyond professional journalists to every citizen consuming information,” Došen noted, highlighting the need for broader media literacy.

Researchers at the conference presented a concerning pattern about how misinformation spreads in Croatia. Prior studies conducted jointly by Gong and the Faculty revealed that mainstream media serve as the primary conduits for disinformation, with right-wing populist figures often being the original sources.

Nikola Baketa from the Institute for Social Research expanded the conversation beyond immediate political impacts, discussing how persistent negative narratives can erode public trust and social cohesion over time. Meanwhile, Marko Roško from the University of Dubrovnik took a firm stance on the nature of disinformation itself, characterizing it as “inherently malicious” rather than merely mistaken or confused communication.

The conference also provided insights into Croatian voting patterns. Professor Kosta Bovan, co-author of the comprehensive study “Croatian Voters – 30 Years of Political Behaviour and Opinion,” observed that despite assumptions about generational differences, young voters largely mirror the political behaviors of older generations. The slight difference noted was a marginally stronger preference for Christian democratic positions over social democratic ones among younger voters.

Students who participated in the FaktaPolitika project shared firsthand experiences with the challenges of fact-checking. Karla Sabljić and Nikola Stipić described the process as labor-intensive and often frustrating, with many political figures providing vague responses or simply ignoring requests for clarification or evidence.

Mario Munta of the Faculty added nuance to the discussion by pointing out that even seemingly straightforward political statements often require deeper analysis. “What appears accurate on the surface may contain misleading framing or rely on data that cannot be fully verified,” Munta explained.

The educational value of the project was emphasized by Milica Vučković, vice-dean for students, internationalization and communications at the Faculty, who noted that more than 60 students had participated in fact-checking activities. This practical experience provides students with crucial skills for navigating an increasingly complex information landscape.

As Croatia and other democracies face continuing challenges from information manipulation, the conference underscored that responsibility for maintaining democratic integrity must be shared across society—from politicians who make claims, to media who report them, to citizens who consume and share information.