Research & Studies

This report examines the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing the growing challenge of online disinformation. It provides an in-depth examination of AI-driven media verification techniques, focusing on automated fact-checking, text analysis, and detecting visual and multimodal disinformation, including deepfakes.

Malta was no stranger to the Covid infodemic that travelled the world in recent years. This report trawls through some of the false and misleading claims that made their way to Malta’s shores.

This report examines misleading claims spread in Greece about renewable energy, focusing on a recurring misleading narrative linking wildfires to the construction of inland wind farms in burned areas.

A series of conspiracy theories about Ukrainian labs carrying out research into pathogens were spread across Cyprus in recent months, in an attempt to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This report delves into how this narrative gained traction.

Last year a series of articles, including some about a political scandal that erupted in Malta, were taken down from Google’s search results after somebody mysteriously filed a series of copyright infringement claims against them.

A visit from Brazilian football sensation Ronaldinho to the occupied territories of Cyprus leveraged the player’s fame to spread disinformation narratives about sensitive political issues. This report delves into some of the claims made at the time.

In this report, we present the work conducted under Work Package 5 regarding the monitoring of media plurality in the region of Greece, Cyprus and Malta. The report examines the plurality and diversity of the news media ecosystem in 2023 in the three countries comprising the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory (MedDMO) Hub. It follows last year’s Media Plurality Report and is the second release in an annual series published by MedDMO. The report is the outcome of a comprehensive review, data collection, and analysis of resources focused on the plurality and diversity of the three different news media ecosystems. It is based on the annual Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM), International Press Institute, European Centre for Press, Media and Freedom and national reports, incorporating advice and feedback from community members as well as data from various valuable sources and scientific publications.

Migration and population have long been a popular topic of disinformation in Malta, Europe’s most densely populated country, frequently encouraging xenophobic sentiments and spreading fear. This report looks into several instances of disinformation surrounding the issue in recent months.

Unusual summertime weather conditions in Cyprus frequently fuel false and misleading narratives about climate change. This report examines some of these narratives, exploring how climate change denialism raises its head with the August rainfall.

Inquiries carried out by authorities in Malta, whether they are held in public or behind closed doors, have been a frequent target of mis- or disinformation. This report delves into several instances of this, examining some of the narratives frequently cited.