The core of the Czech disinformation scene has long been made up of about 40 active disinformation websites. This number fluctuates slightly, as the network of disinformation sites is variable. Some sites disappear but they are being replaced by new ones. The 2020 pandemic caused a more significant year-on-year increase in the number of disinformation sites, as several new ones focused exclusively on pandemic-related disinformation, so the number of disinformation sites increased to 51 between 2019 and 2020. In 2021, however, their number fell again, mainly for two reasons: 1) the failure and termination of some disinformation projects focused purely on coronavirus, 2) termination of several sites due to a decrease in advertising funding and support from readers. The current list includes 46 active and relevant disinformation sites.
The aim of this annual report is to provide up-to-date information on the state of the Czech disinformation scene and its development in 2021. The content will include:
- an updated list of active and relevant disinformation sites
- basic statistics of activity and readability of individual websites
- division into groups according to the content produced
- the most important Czech and foreign cases discussed on the disinformation scene in the past year
- trends that have changed or affected the disinformation environment over the past year
- list of the most active disinformers among politicians
Authors:
Veronika Krátka Špalková – Analyst
Jindřich Přívratský – Junior Analyst
Matěj Pastír – Junior Analyst
Zuzana Činčerová – Associate
The report was prepared with the support of Open Information Partnership.
