This policy brief is part of CIGI’s project on freedom of thought: Legitimate Influence or Unlawful Manipulation? Find out more at: www.cigionline.org/fot
Policy Brief No. 3 — January 2024
Foreign Interference Online: Where Disinformation Infringes on Freedom of Thought Wesley Wark Key Points → Online disinformation operations by foreign state actors continue to be a prominent tool of disruption. → Disinformation operates in a permissive information environment. In a functioning democracy, although disinformation can make the maintenance of freedom of thought more difficult, its potential impacts on freedom of thought are limited. → Disinformation needs a rigorous definition, distinguishing it from other forms of false narratives, including misinformation, so that it can be recognized and the appropriate tools adopted to counter it in a democracy. → The best tools to use in countering disinformation campaigns involve educating the public about how to recognize disinformation and building resilience in targeted and vulnerable communities.
Introduction Foreign interference allegations involving Chinese state actors have rocked Canadian politics since the fall of 2022. The allegations have been driven by leaks of classified intelligence to the media, and have been ridden hard by opposition political parties who decry what they see as a lack of decisive government action in response. Parliamentary committees have played an important role in trying to hold the government to account for what are seen as failures in the Canadian system to counter foreign interference.1 The issue is now the subject of a judicial inquiry, which will hold public briefings and submit reports in 2024.2 Although the experience of foreign interference is not unique to Canada, some of the dynamics of its recent expressions are. Allegations centre on efforts by Chinese officials based in Canada to influence electoral outcomes through a variety of methods, including targeted support to preferred candidates, the spreading of disinformation on social media and intimidation tactics used against specific political actors. Mixed in with intelligence leaks about these alleged tactics are accusations of other efforts by foreign actors to use intermediaries, often political staffers, to engage in espionage. Controversy
1
For coverage of the Canadian debate, see the columns in Wesley Wark’s substack newsletter on national security and intelligence at wesleywark.substack.com.
2
See https://foreigninterferencecommission.ca/about/the-commission.