In March 2024, the internal kick-off event for the Long Arm of Authoritarian States (ARM) project took place, marking the commencement of this critical research initiative coordinated by the Chr. Michelsen Institute. Bringing together ten partners across eight countries, the event set the stage for a comprehensive exploration of information suppression as a facet of foreign information manipulation and intervention (FIMI) by authoritarian states within Europe and among diaspora communities.
The project aims to broaden the understanding of FIMI by focusing on the information suppression strategies employed by authoritarian regimes. Through case studies on Russia, China, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, the project seeks to develop a toolkit and recommendations to combat information suppression operations effectively.
The event successfully set the foundation for the project, fostering a collaborative environment among the partners and establishing a clear direction for the research ahead. Participants left with a shared understanding of the project’s goals and a commitment to advancing the study of information suppression by authoritarian regimes.
The ARM project is now poised to conceptualize, identify, and address information suppression, ultimately empowering policy and civil society actors to better defend against these threats.