Electoral Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) refers to coordinated actions by foreign actors that aim to influence or disrupt electoral processes through manipulation of information spaces.
FIMI threatens electoral integrity and public trust, making resilience essential for healthy democracies.
- Coordinated actions by foreign actors or proxies.
- Uses mixed content: false, misleading, or emotionally charged.
- Aims to weaken institutions, influence elections, or shape public debate.
- Often spans multiple platforms and communication channels.
- Seeks to disrupt trust and amplify social or political divisions.
Electoral FIMI campaigns often use social media, online platforms, or local intermediaries to
- Amplify divisive or polarizing narratives.
- Undermine confidence in election management bodies or results.
- Discredit candidates, parties, or observers.
- Promote distrust toward mainstream media or democratic institutions.
- Spread misleading or fabricated content disguised as legitimate news.
- Exploit identity politics to inflame social or ethnic tensions.
- Use bots or fake accounts to simulate public consensus or outrage.
FIMI vs Disinformation
Elections are about more than votes. They rely on trust, accurate information, and a shared understanding of what is true. Electoral FIMI or Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference threatens this trust. It often uses disinformation but goes further. It is a coordinated effort by foreign actors to manipulate public perception, polarize voters, and weaken confidence in democratic institutions.
How they work
Supporting Journalists to Identify and Debunk Manipulation
Strengthening Election Institutions Against Information Threats
Monitoring Online Spaces to Detect Coordinated Interference Early
Senegalese newspaper front pages hijacked for political propaganda purposes
Ivory Coast warns citizens over surge in election disinformation
Moldova’s parliamentary elections were competitive but campaign marred by cyberattacks, illegal funding and disinformation, international observers say
FIMI
False or misleading information spread to deceive or confuse
Can be created and shared by anyone, not always coordinated.
Often focuses on specific claims or stories.
Vs
Disinformation
Coordinated manipulation by foreign actors or proxies.
Uses a mix of false, misleading, and selectively true information.
Operates strategically across social media, news, and public discussions.
While disinformation focuses on false or misleading information, FIMI emphasises coordinated manipulation, foreign involvement and interference in democratic processes
