Understanding and Countering Information Manipulation in Central Asia: New Research Highlights FIMI Trends in Kyrgyzstan
On 21 May 2025, the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and Internews Europe unveiled the preliminary findings of the pilot study “Tracking Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Online: Findings from Kyrgyzstan”, funded by the European Union through the “Cultivating Audience Resilience Through Amplification of Vibrant and Authentic Narratives” (CARAVAN) project.
The study, a collaboration between the European Neighbourhood Council, Pikasa Analytics, and Internews Europe, represents a pioneering effort to analyse the evolving FIMI landscape in Kyrgyzstan through a mixed-methods approach that combines supervised Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and qualitative verification.
Meera Selva, CEO of Internews Europe, said: “This research shows the importance of independent, cross-border and collaborative journalism that focuses on local communities. This kind of journalism delivers high-quality, trusted and relevant information that citizens need to make informed decisions about their lives and provides the best antidote to misinformation and manipulation.”
The rapid growth of digital media has opened new avenues for Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) to influence public opinion across the globe. Central Asia has not been immune to the global rise of information manipulation. Recent studies have documented the likely presence of FIMI across the region, often aligning with the geopolitical interests of foreign actors such as Russia and China. The scale and impact of disinformation activity have been particularly exposed during major global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These developments highlight the urgent need for targeted, context-specific research into how foreign information manipulation unfolds across Central Asia’s media environment.
This report presents findings from the first phase of pilot research, focused specifically on Kyrgyzstan. The findings offer a preliminary, yet detailed, portrait of Kyrgyzstan’s evolving FIMI landscape and provide insights aimed at improving methodology on FIMI and supporting policymakers, media professionals, and civil society actors working to strengthen societal resilience against foreign information manipulation and disinformation.
Beyond diagnosis, the research proposes concrete recommendations for national and international actors. These include strengthening digital literacy initiatives, supporting pluralistic and explanatory journalism, developing AI-based monitoring tools tailored to local languages, and fostering transparent media regulation that upholds freedom of expression.
Peter M. Wagner, Head of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, said: “While FIMI is a global horizontal threat, it often needs to be addressed with very targeted and context-specific responses, such as through the EU-funded CARAVAN project, which this research is part of.”
This work forms part of the broader CARAVAN initiative, funded by the European Union, and which is committed to strengthening information resilience across Central Asia.
The executive summary is available here.
The first launch of the Think Tank Forum brought together 150 participants, including diplomats, think tank leaders, academics, technical experts, business representatives and media from both Central Asia and Europe. The inaugural speeches were made respectively by highest level invitees: Abdulaziz Kamilov (Highest Advisory Role to the President of Uzbekistan and former Foreign Minister), Javlon Vakhabov (Director of IICA and former Amb. to the United States), Samuel Doveri Vesterbye (Director of ENC), Eduards Stiprais (Ambassador level Special Representative to Central Asia for the EEAS), and Toivo Klaar (EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan).
The significance of this forum was further highlighted by the presence of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), who visited the region last week, as well as the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, who has been in the region in the past weeks. Their engagements underscore the EU’s commitment to deepening its cooperation with Central Asia across multiple sectors with a special focus on logistics, deepened infrastructure networks, energy/renewables, critical raw materials and supply chain investments/trade, as well as digitalisation, security and water management.
This summit marks a historic milestone as it is the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit to be held in the region. The event will bring together key European and Central Asian leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, to strengthen regional political and economic ties.
The project was
The presentation of Phase I findings by Emre Keki (ENC Researcher) and Serra Zoraloglu (Projects and Services Coordinator at BHRTR) revealed significant challenges faced by Turkish companies—particularly SMEs—in understanding and complying with the new regulations. These challenges include limited awareness of legal requirements, a lack of resources and expertise to conduct effective due diligence, and concerns about the impact of compliance on competitiveness.
The program concluded with a discussion and stakeholder consultation session that brought together representatives from various organizations, including UNDP, FNF Turkey, FES, academics, foundations, unions, and NGOs. Participants explored best practices, potential areas for cooperation, and approaches to addressing shared challenges. This gathering of diverse stakeholders reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling human rights issues and improving environmental standards. The discussions underscored the value of shared learning and capacity building, enabling organizations to better understand and effectively implement due diligence practices.
A key feature of the project was its focus on intercultural exchange. Participants from three countries shared their diverse perspectives and practices, enriching the learning experience. In addition to the educational benefits, the project fostered networking, enhanced communication skills, and provided opportunities for socializing—all of which will support participants in their future careers.
Dr. Tetyana Lokot, Project Coordinator and Associate Professor in the School of Communications of Dublin City University (DCU), opened the conference by explaining the project’s aims and key challenges. She pointed out that “our project is particularly interesting because it brings together seven countries, six of which are EU members, and Georgia, which is not a EU member but is one of the countries that aspire to join the EU.”
Mr. Jarkko Siren, Project Advisor of the European Research Executive Agency (REA) and the MEDIATIZED EU Project Officer, also gave opening remarks to contextualise the project within the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. In coordination with Mr. Paco de la Torre, REA Policy Officer for MEDIATIZED EU and sister projects, he explained the call under which the projects were funded, related to democratic transformations in Europe and the role of the media (
Ms. Asuman Kubra Bas and Dr. Thomas Jacobs (European Neighbourhood Council – ENC) presented the findings of Belgium’s case, Dr. Holger Mölder (TalTech) presented Estonia’s findings, Dr. Lia Tsuladze (CSS) presented findings from Georgia, Prof. György Lengyel (Corvinus University Budapest), discussed results from Hungary, Dr. Tanya Lokot (DCU), spoke about the Irish case, while Dr. Maria Raquel Freire (Centre for Social Studies – CES), summarised the findings of Portugal’s case, and Dr. Sonia Boulos (Antonio de Nebrija University – UANE), discussed those of Spain. Researchers highlighted the cases’ commonalities and differences, and answered engaging questions and comments from the audience.
Finally, Dr. Sonia Boulos, Assistant Professor of Law and International Relations at UANE, Spain, presented the project’s recommendations for EU policy makers, which focus on how to ensure a healthy, pluralist and constructive debate about Europeanisation in the European media and public sphere. The recommendations were then discussed by Mr. Jack Parrock, EU Affairs Correspondent working in Brussels, and Mr. Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Managing Director at ENC, moderated by Dr. Alessio Cornia, Assistant Professor in the School of Communications (DCU).