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The irony of the battle against misinformation

(B2) For the past week, the European diplomatic service has faced particularly intense criticism over its latest report, published on Friday (April 24) around disinformation linked to Covid-19

© NGV/B2

Under Chinese pressure, Brussels would have lowered its denunciation of Chinese activities, by softening the terms used. The European diplomatic service (EEAS) defends the independence and quality of the work of its counter-disinformation service

China makes disinformation

The report, written by the 'strategic communication' division of the European diplomatic service, does indeed implicate China, among other States (Syria, Iran, Russia, etc.) which it accuses of participating in disinformation on the Covid- 19. Those who usually follow the subject know that there is nothing new here. The report, for example, points out that China " tries to diminish mentions of Wuhan as the origin of Covid-19, with national restrictions on the publication of related research ". He points out that " state-controlled networks are spreading the theory that the outbreak is linked to US military officials ". The existence " significant evidence of covert Chinese operations " on social networks is highlighted by the report, which mentions circumvention of advertising rules, influence campaigns, purchase of advertisements " praising China's handling of the crisis “, a massive sharing of messages from the Chinese Embassy in Italy, or even attacks against the European Union. All led by the Chinese government, or its supporters.

... and put pressure on the Brussels institutions?

The scandal comes first from Political, then from New York Times, and Financial Times. These media claim to have had access to a different version of the document, in which the language was much more critical of China. Citing inside sources, they explain that the changes, as well as the publication of the report, three days later than expected, are explained by Chinese pressure.

The denial of the diplomatic service

A version actively denied by Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EEAS. First, by a series of tweets, then by a long presentation in the press room, and finally in a letter sent to the editor-in-chief of the New York Times, published on the EEAS website, Monday (27 April) in the evening. " Let me be clear: the European Union has not yielded to alleged external political pressure. The unsubstantiated claims are based on leaked internal exchanges, aiming to draw a conclusion that is factually incorrect. This plays into the hands of those who seek to undermine our work. »

Two studies, two languages

What should be noted is that there are in fact two reports, insists Peter Stano. The first, internal, is prepared with theIntCen (the Intelligence Analysis Center of the European Union), and is not intended to be made public. It is therefore not a draft ". " The European Union collects, analyzes and exposes disinformation about the coronavirus. In our work, elements remain for internal use, because we are a diplomatic service “recalled Peter Stano in his letter. The second is written for publication and distribution to the general public. NB: An explanation which arrives all the same after four days, and after having refuted

Confusion or misinformation?

As a regular in Brussels circles points out, Politico had not had access to internal documents from the European Commission for a long time. And it would be by this case to raise the pressure. A real question arises in any case on the current role of China on the international scene. We must not forget that the United States, the police of the world, have chosen for several months to indict China through various bodies, whether at the WHO or NATO, using all the springs to try to counter what appears to be its 'real' strategic rival - and not so much Russia, its traditional adversary. So, confusion or misinformation?

(Aurélie Pugnet, with NGV)

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