Day 1 Workshop Sessions
December 5, 2016
Falkensteiner Hotel, Bratislava
9:30 – 9:50
Introductory Remarks:
Peter B. Doran, Vice President of Researc, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)
Keynote:
H.E. Adam Sterling, U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic
9:50 – 11:40
Session 1: Grasping the Big Picture on Disinformation in the CEE Region Overview of Russian disinformation throughout the CEE region. What are the main trends/techniques being deployed against CEE allies? What has been the overall effect of disinformation on the region? What are the implications? The speakers also discussed the major findings of the CEPA Information Warfare Initiative and what the project has uncovered thus far in Poland and Baltic States.
Speakers:
Edward Lucas, CEPA Senior Vice President and Co-leader of CEPA’s Information Warfare Initiative
Urve Eslas, opinion editor of the Estonian daily Postimees, radio host and newspaper columnist
Moderator: Peter B. Doran, Vice President of Research, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)
11:40 – 12:40
Networking Lunch
12:40 – 14:10
Session 2: Country-Level Views on Disinformation
Participants discussed what are the objectives of Russian disinformation in specific CEE countries. Also wondered how are disinformation methods evolving in the digital sphere. Who is consuming this information? What are emerging local and national responses to this disinformation threat in your country?
Speakers:
Martins Kaprans, Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the University of Latvia
Ivana Smolenova, Communications and Outreach Manager, Prague Security Studies Institute
Lóránt Győri, Political Capital
Moderator: Donald Jensen, CEPA Senior Adjunct Fellow
14:10 – 14:25
Coffee Break
14:25 – 15:55
Session 3: Western Responses to Russian Disinformation
What are the European and U.S. policy responses/plans of action to countering Russian disinformation? What responses have been successful, and what else needs to be done? How have policymakers specifically utilized media specialists, journalists, technologists and academics in their action plans?
Speakers:
Magda Walter, International Media Consultancy
Neil Barnett, Istok Associates
Donald Jensen, CEPA Senior Adjunct Fellow
Moderator: Dušan Fischer, SFPA
15:55 – 17:25
Session 4: Containing Digital Toxins – The Role of Tech Companies in the Fight against Disinformation
How can tech companies in Europe and America contribute to understanding Russian disinformation and countering it in the digital space? What disinformation information vectors can be mitigated through the collaboration of security, advertising, data management and social media experts? Can best practices in these respective fields be applied or adapted to the evolving digital battlespace?
Speakers:
Marian Nic, Beacon Project
Jan Urbančík, konspiratori.sk
Matus Sloboda, demagog.sk
Luna Kalaš, TechSoup
Moderator: Edward Lucas, CEPA Senior President and Co-leader of CEPA’s Information Warfare Initiative (Confirmed)
Description: How can tech companies in Europe and America contribute to understanding Russian disinformation and countering it in the digital space? What disinformation information vectors can be mitigated through the collaboration of security, advertising, data management and social media experts? Can best practices in these respective fields be applied or adapted to the evolving digital battlespace?
17:25 – 18:00
Break
18:00 – 19:00
Networking Dinner (Restaurant Seasons)
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Day 2 Workshop Sessions
December 6, 2016
Falkensteiner Hotel, Bratislava
9:00 – 9:30
Registration
9:30 – 9:45
Overview of Objectives of Day 2 Sessions
Peter B. Doran, Vice President of Research, CEPA
9:45 – 11:45
Breakout Session 1: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing? Disinformation in the Social Media Ecosystem
The free-flow of information has been a hallmark of the internet ecosystem. Recently, this open market of ideas has been flooded by well-funded and highly sophisticated state campaigns to influence and achieve foreign policy objectives. How do we address this phenomenon? How can social media act as a counterweight to disinformation?
Session Leader: Peter B. Doran, Vice President of Research, CEPA
Magda Walter, International Media Consultancy
Peter Jancarik, Konspiratori.sk
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Breakout Session 2: Big Data: Using Tracking and Analytics in the Information Space
In the digital realm, do emerging technologies offer insights into tracking disinformation sources and dispelling propaganda before they impact users? Can the next disinformation campaign be shut down before it happens?
Session Leader: Edward Lucas, CEPA Senior President and Co-leader of CEPA’s Information Warfare Initiative
Urve Eslas, opinion editor of the Estonian daily Postimees, radio host and newspaper columnist
Marian Nic, Beacon Project
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Breakout Session 3: How does Myth-busting Work? Investigative Journalism in the Digital Realm
What is the impact of European-wide initiatives that track the flow of disinformation? Can more be done to bridge the divide between disinformation warriors and investigative journalists and social media platforms? How can we combine traditional and new media strategies for investigative journalism for combating disinformation online?
Session Leader: Donald Jensen, CEPA Senior Adjunct Fellow
Martins Kaprans, Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the University of Latvia
Mikalai Anishchanka, Head of Press Room at Press Club Belarus
Neil Barnett, Istok Associates
11:45 – 12:45
Networking Lunch
12:45 - 13:45
Team Brainstorming Sessions
Tech Camp participants broke into their designated groups to brainstorm new ideas and solutions for countering disinformation in the V4.
13:45 – 14:00
Coffee Break
14:00 - 15:30
Presentation of Ideas
Group leaders presented ideas generated during the brainstorming sessions.
Session Leader: Peter B. Doran, Vice President of Research, CEPA
15:30 – 16:30
Closing Session (all participants): Tech Camp Highlights and Solutions
What are the lessons learned and new ideas that have emerged from Tech Camp? How can we bridge the gap between the numerous areas of expertise to counter disinformation?
Peter B. Doran, Vice President of Research, CEPA
Donald Jensen, CEPA Senior Adjunct Fellow
Urve Eslas, opinion editor of the Estonian daily Postimees, radio host and newspaper columnist
Dušan Fischer, SFPA