Ukraine: The Unseen Attacks – Information War

Published: July 22, 2015, 5:08 p.m.

Restrictions: This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. This video includes ITN Source copyrighted library material purchased by NATO which cannot be used as part of a new production without consent of the copyright holder. Please contact http://www.itnsource.com/en/contactus to clear this material. Story Synopsis: Four fatal flaws? Ukraine's key challenges today are more than the war fought in its east. What use is a strong military if you don’t have a strong message? Russia’s disinformation about Ukraine has permeated worldwide media and the fight back is tougher than ever. NATO experts, Ukrainian politicians and journalists talk about the distinct challenges of fighting a war of words. About the four-part series Ukraine: The Unseen Attacks Fighting in the east has come to characterize Ukraine. But Ukraine’s struggle for survival and self-determination, free of corrupt governments and Russian influence is fought on many other fronts. From cyber defence to internal defence, fixing its forces to telling the truth – Ukraine faces challenges that may determine its very survival. Full script: =VOICEOVER = Fighting in the east has come to characterize Ukraine. But Ukraine’s struggle for survival and self-determination, free of corrupt governments and Russian influence is fought on many other fronts. In this program, we’ll look at four distinct challenges Ukraine faces in addition to fighting on its borders. From cyber defense to internal defense, fixing its forces to telling the truth – Ukraine faces challenges that may determine its very survival. =GRAPHIC= UKRAINE - THE UNSEEN ATTACKS =GRAPHIC= INFORMATION WAR =VOICEOVER = The information campaign against Ukraine has stepped up. From bad Photoshop jobs to professionally cast actors, the attacks on Ukraine’s credibility are endless and put the country in an impossible situation to try and counter. =SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH= Margo Gontar, Co-Founder, Stopfake.org “It’s exciting, but I think it never stops, I mean, the information war.” =VOICEOVER = Facing a well-funded and monolithic Russian communications machine, Ukraine just doesn’t have the resources to debunk every false message. But to do nothing leaves it vulnerable to the lies gaining traction. =SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN= Anna Kovalenko, Advisor, Ministry of Information Policy “If I talk honestly about counter propaganda how do you kill the messages Russia produces? Unfortunately they’re leading in this war. For us it’s important to disseminate truthful information. We’re not talking about fighting with them. We want to install channels of communication that will in return counteract the Russian propaganda that’s flooded us.” =VOICEOVER= Truth and openness ought to be Ukraine’s most powerful weapons against false news, but their ministries have been slow to disseminate information to the public, especially to the conflict areas in the east. =SOUNDBITE IN RUSSIAN= Dmitry Tymchuk, MP, Founder of Information Resistance Blog “For you to understand, in Crimea and Donbass there are very few people who watching Ukrainian TV, they watching Russian. The population saw the events with the eyes of the Kremlin.” =VOICEOVER= And when people do have access to internet, popular social media sites like VKontake are primarily Russian language, making them hotbeds of easily shareable false images and rumors. =SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN= Anna Kovalenko, Advisor, Ministry of Information Policy “As for the occupied territories, there are some citizens that are pro-Ukrainian, but because of their situation, they cannot do anything.” =VOICEOVER= The setting up of a Ministry of Information Policy was a well-intentioned, but unpopular, step to try and synchronise Ukraine’s communications. Almost no one in Ukraine doubts Russia is waging a information war. But the best way to respond is still hotly debated. =SOUNDBITE IN UKRAINIAN= Anna Kovalenko, Advisor, Ministry of Information Policy “If we talk about communications, then we talk about introducing a national identity and the understanding that can unite us and bring us closer to victory.” =VOICEOVER= Building credibility also means self-regulating. Ukrainian media aren’t immune to making mistakes and falling for false news. =SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH= Margo Gontar, Co-Founder, Stopfake.org “They just spread without thinking. If something might look like anti-Russia, Ukrainian media or just separate Ukrainian bloggers or whatever they can start putting it round without double check.” =VOICEOVER= Building a new Ukraine that is inclusive, modern and prosperous is a challenge that seems insurmountable. But the strength and will that started the EuroMaidan can still be seen – in volunteers like Margo and in a new, open media that puts the truth before a good story. =SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH= Margo Gontar, Co-Founder, Stopfake.org “We have this saying on us that ‘the truth and God is on our side’. And that’s why the best way is to show the truth we have. Eventually truth wins over so you just need to show it.” =VOICEOVER= But Ukraine’s future depends not just on how strongly the government, the armed forces and even the people stand by their intentions but also how much its friends are willing to support it through what may be one of its defining moment in its modern history. This version includes voiceover and graphics.