Problematic content such as disinformation is difficult to address in a legal space where such content is not defined. However, as PSSI’s new project shows, the creators of this content generally tend to operate in the gray zone of law and ethical business, and therefore their reach and profit can be limited by the traditional legal and regulatory tools already available.

 

Our previous research has shown that disinformation can be a profitable business in the Czech Republic. The new project builds on research into the financial background of the Czech disinformation landscape, with a focus on its legal aspects.

The legal status of disinformation actors determines their opportunities to monetise disinformation. Companies, civil society organizations and individuals can use various legal and illegal channels to profit from their trade in fear. This research therefore focused on mapping the legal aspects of Czech disinformation actors in order to identify gaps in national and international laws and regulations that are exploited for harmful (profitable) activities. Finally, the outputs provide specific recommendations for limiting the income from the dissemination of problematic content.

The project was implemented in cooperation with Visegrad Insight/Res Publica Foundation and supported by the Czech-Polish Forum program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. You can find the results of the great work of our partners in Poland on Visegrad Insight’s website.