Insights from Sweden for Strengthening Democratic Resilience and Information Integrity

A delegation of journalists, editors, fact-checkers, media experts, and representatives of institutions from North Macedonia took part in a study visit to Stockholm, organized by the Delegation of the European Union and the Macedonian Institute for Media (MIM), within the framework of the project “Building Synergies Against Disinformation, Including on EU Policies and Activities.”

During the two-day programme, the delegation met with representatives of the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, International IDEA organization, the Swedish Institute, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag). The meetings provided valuable insights into Sweden’s institutional and societal approach to safeguarding democratic processes and countering disinformation.

Participants were introduced to Sweden’s civil defence system and its mechanisms for identifying and responding to malign information influence activities, including efforts to strengthen cooperation among public institutions, civil society organizations, researchers, and the media. Discussions also focused on protecting electoral integrity, addressing foreign information manipulation and interference, and strengthening public resilience to misinformation and disinformation.

Participants were introduced to successful Swedish practices in the fields of strategic communication, public diplomacy, media and information literacy, as well as innovative educational approaches. Meetings with representatives of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Parliament highlighted the importance of strong democratic institutions, transparency, and international cooperation in addressing information threats and safeguarding democratic values. In addition, discussions with International IDEA underscored the growing importance of protecting electoral processes from manipulation and external influence. The exchange provided participants with valuable insights into how democratic societies can strengthen their resilience against information-related threats while preserving fundamental democratic principles and freedoms.

The study visit also served as an important platform for networking and building partnerships among media professionals, fact-checkers, researchers, and institutional representatives. Participants noted that the exchange of knowledge and experiences with Swedish experts provided valuable practical insights and inspiring examples that can contribute to further strengthening efforts to counter disinformation in North Macedonia.

The knowledge and experience gained during the visit will contribute to advancing professional journalism, fostering fact-based public discourse, and strengthening societal resilience to disinformation.

The study visit once again confirmed the importance of international cooperation and knowledge exchange in addressing common challenges, as well as their role in building a more informed, democratic, and resilient society.