Weaponizing Information: The Political Landscape of Disinformation

Abstract Geopolitical events, hybrid threats, and political agendas, particularly of a populist nature, are increasingly pervasive in global media, therefore the imperative to understand the intricacies of disinformation extends beyond mere countermeasures. To effectively mitigate the spread and creation of disinformation, an examination of the primary reasons contributing to its emergence is essential, thus the primary objective of the research is to investigate the most common reasons for the emergence of disinformation and assess its impact on society. The methodology used employs a diverse range of methods, including literature analysis, content analysis, historical methods, and legal interpretation where applicable. Furthermore, it utilizes general scientific techniques such as induction, deduction, and synthesis.