Now a battle of words over disinformation

HOSTILITIES between Russia and Ukraine are being fought in classes, the fashion world and on social media.

The build-up to war has prompted Moscow’s security chiefs to print posters, urging people to say “Het” – meaning “No” – to social media networks like TikTok for fear of giving away military secrets.

The campaign is the modern day equivalent of the wartime “walls have ears” posters warning against careless talk across the UK.

And in Kyiv, a massive UK-funded campaign is under way to fight Russian propaganda and disinformation. The Ukraine government project, called “Filter”, launched last year and is aimed at improving how people consume information “in times of uncertainty”.

One of their mantras can be seen on trendy hoodies worn across the capital, which have a slogan on the front reading: “Fake tried to catch me,” while the back adds: “But it didn’t get me.”

Another slogan – sewn into socks – says: “Check everything seven times and then say it once.”

Valeria Kovtun, head of the Filter project, said: “One of the priorities of the government is the development of media literacy to make Ukrainian society more resilient to Russian propaganda.

“In order to reach people in the regions, Filter launched media literacy clubs to promote critical thinking. This network also serves as a tool to combat local disinformation.

“As tension over security has risen, there was a great demand from various audiences for workshops on how to filter information in a hybrid war. So Filter organised meetings in order to help people to reduce anxiety and consume information wisely in times of uncertainty.”

Media clubs promote critical thinking VALERIA KOVTUN ON ANTI-PROPAGANDA DRIVE