Correspondence from Bucharest // Aggressive disinformation campaign: fake messages on Facebook and TikTok about Romania's security
Romania has been facing an aggressive online disinformation campaign for several days, intending to induce panic among the population. Authorities in Bucharest have detected hundreds of fake messages distributed on the social networks Facebook and TikTok, the Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MApN) announced.
The campaign was launched shortly after the entry into force of two important laws for national security. Among the fake information spread are accusations that Romanian citizens would be sent to fight in Ukraine, that the adoption of the new laws would establish a “military dictatorship” or that the Romanian Army would be subordinated to foreign forces, NATO or Brussels.
The Ministry of National Defense rejects these claims and considers them part of a manipulation campaign. “Attempts to present concrete measures to strengthen the defence capacity of Romania and NATO as acts of national treason are part of the pattern of disinformation campaigns carried out in the public space in Romania, including by state actors with an agenda contrary to Romania’s sovereignty and against NATO,” the ministry’s press release reads.
The authorities warn that such actions aim to “induce a climate of panic and weaken trust in the capacity of institutions in the national security system to fulfill their constitutional missions.”
This is not the first time that Romanian institutions have accused possible foreign involvement in internal affairs. In last year’s presidential elections, which were later annulled by the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR), the authorities denounced possible foreign interference, including from Russia, in support of independent candidate Călin Georgescu.
The tense international context amplifies concerns. Recently, European leaders held discussions about security with representatives of the US and Russia. In turn, the head of the Romanian Presidential Chancellery, Cristian Diaconescu, stated that “this is a dramatic moment internationally.” He noted that Russia had requested in negotiations with the US the withdrawal of NATO security guarantees on the 1997 alignment, which would also affect Romania.
