Canadians the target of Russian misinformation: Senate report
OTTAWA – Russia is targeting Canadians with disinformation and propaganda to sow division and erode confidence in democratic institutions.
That conclusion is chief among the findings of a recent report from the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs. The report, released on April 30, is titled Russia’s Disinformation: Understanding the Challenge, Strengthening Canada’s Response.
“Canadians must become hardened against the relentless flow of Russia’s disinformation,” stated Senator Hassan Yussuff, chair of the committee.
“Think carefully about what you read and watch, and consider the source.”
The report notes Russia “conceals, blurs and fabricates information to gain military advantage, demoralize Ukrainians, divide allies and garner domestic and international support for its illegal invasion.”
Russia launders disinformation through “influencers” – often Westerners who have more credibility with Western audiences, the report adds.
According to the report, witnesses said Russia “seeks to destabilize Western democracies and undermine the NATO alliance, blunting Western efforts to effectively address Russia’s aggression.”
The report notes, “Enhancing critical thinking and media literacy skills among Canadians is foundational to countering disinformation. Finland — which shares a long land border and fraught history with Russia — has integrated these skills into school curricula from an early age. An informed population will not be taken in by Russia’s deceit.”
The report makes ten recommendations to the federal government, including:
– reviewing its approach to regulating online platforms;
– better informing the public about Russia’s disinformation efforts; and
– working with other levels of government to integrate media literacy and critical thinking skills into academic curricula.
“Challenging times should bring us together as a country,” stated Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak, deputy chair of the committee.
“Disinformation threatens to drive us apart and to make us question the very foundation of what has made Canada so successful.”
To view the full report visit tinyurl.com/ybzrwf5y.
