The COVID-19 pandemic harmed China’s image all around the world. Ever since the outbreak, China’s external propaganda has been working hard on damage control, including enlisting all controlled media, digital influencers, and social media outlets. However, while at first Beijing’s propaganda focused on deflecting international criticism over its domestic response, it soon gained an offensive edge, spreading disinformation over the origin of the virus and attacking other countries’ responses.
Join us at the virtual discussion on China’s disinformation and propaganda efforts in Europe, scheduled on Tuesday, June 23, at 17:30 Athens time, (10:30 New York Time). The panel discussion includes Shawn Powers, USAGM’s Chief Strategy Officer, Ivana Karaskova, Founder and Coordinator of ChinfluenCE, and China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE), Bill Murad from U.S. Embassy in Athens and Franak Viacorka from Digital Communication Network. The discussion will be moderated by Nikos Panagiotou from Aristotle University and DCN SEE Hub.
Click here to register or go to the link below to submit your information!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpde-srjgtE93SaTD3j4HIPzAIxmEKHpWC
After the registration you will receive the letter from Zoom with all the details.
Speakers:
- Shawn Powers serves as the Agency’s Chief Strategy Officer, leading its interagency engagement, strategic planning, strategic initiatives, and partnerships with key international stakeholders. He oversees the Agency’s Office of Policy and Research (OPR), Office of Policy (VOA), and its Internet Freedom and circumvention programs.
- Ivana Karásková, Ph.D. (@ivana_karaskova), is a Research Fellow, Founder and Coordinator of MapInfluenCE and China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE) projects at Association for International Affairs (AMO), Czechia.
- Bill Murad is the Press Attache, U.S. Embassy in Athens
- Franak Viačorka is a head of training at Digital Communication Network and digital media strategist at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (contractor). He has worked as a creative director for the Belarus service of Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty and Vice President for Digital Communication Network.
This event is co-organized by the Digital Communication Network SouthEast Europe Hub (DCN SEE) and World Learning and is part of DCNSEE’s Ideas in Action – Digital Engagement, a series of virtual events launched in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. The series aims to engage digital communities globally, to promote accurate information, combat distortions, encourage responsible behavior, and discourage panic, support mitigation of a global pandemic, and avoid major societal disruptions. DCNSEE is supported by the U.S. Department of State Office of Citizen Exchanges.
DCN SOUTHEAST EUROPE HUB is a consortium of Aristotle University, Digital Communication Network, non-profits, public and private organizations and companies involved in the fields of digital communication, social impact campaigns, technology, and innovation. It is a unique, interdisciplinary coalition tapping into the best talent and resources across Europe.
The webinar is produced by Digital Communication Network, a diverse professional coalition in the digital space.