Description
The paper analyzes counter-disinformation policies in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as a distinctive case of democratic resilience amid rising polarization, hybrid threats, and information pressure. The primary research question this study investigates is how the Baltic States operationalize their counter-disinformation mechanisms in practice. The starting point is the hypothesis that, driven by their unique security environment and a proactive public policy approach, these states have developed a multidimensional model aligned with the 'whole-of-society' approach. This model integrates legal regulations, strategic communication, media literacy education, fact-checking development, collaboration with media and civil society organizations, as well as international coordination.
Methodologically, the study draws on the analysis of strategic documents, expert reports, and comparative literature. A core element of the research design consists of semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted with key stakeholders - including representatives of state institutions, non-governmental organizations, the media, and the research community - across all three countries. These interviews provide crucial empirical insights for assessing the practical effectiveness and implementation of the examined policies. The paper argues that while Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have developed diverse instruments for responding to disinformation, their common denominator is the conceptualization of information resilience as a fundamental pillar of democratic security. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the effectiveness of these solutions depends not only on regulatory frameworks but also on robust coordination among stakeholders and societal trust in state actions.