Report March 2026
Submitted
FIDU (Italian Federation for Human Rights) is an organization dedicated to safeguarding human rights, upholding the rule of law, and supporting victims of human rights abuses. FIDU’s work primarily focuses on advocacy, awareness campaigns, fact-finding missions, monitoring elections and trials, and reporting abuses. To achieve its mission, FIDU draws upon its vast international network, which includes civil society organizations (CSOs), universities, media professionals, lawyers, and experts. These collaborations aim to strengthen traditional mechanisms for human rights protection and introduce innovative tools to combat impunity and defend victims of abuses. Recognizing the growing threats posed by disinformation, information suppression and foreign interference to human rights and the rule of law, FIDU actively engages in efforts to counter these phenomena. FIDU’s work in this field focuses on raising awareness about the negative impact of disinformation and foreign interference on society, as well as monitoring and analyzing the narratives, methodologies, and targets used in disinformation and influence campaigns.
During the reporting period and in relation to the Code’s commitments, FIDU ensured continuity and consolidation of its media literacy and counter-disinformation approach. Resources developed under the European Commission’s CERV Programme projects remain freely accessible online and continue to be promoted and used as practical guidance for citizens, trainees and educators. In parallel, FIDU consistently publishes media literacy and critical thinking content through its communication channels, reinforcing key messages and practical tips over time. This communication work follows a case-study-based methodology and is tailored to reach inclusive and diverse audiences, using accessible language and formats and, where relevant, adapting messages to different levels of digital literacy and vulnerability.
In addition to maintaining and disseminating these tools, FIDU carried out a broad set of activities on disinformation and foreign interference, including institutional awareness-raising initiatives, trainings and workshops (in person and online) primarily targeting students, young professionals and media workers, and structured cooperation with stakeholders, including universities such as the Master in Journalism and Multimedia Communication at the LUISS School of Journalism. FIDU also contributed to cross-sectoral exchanges to advance best practices and recommendations, including participation as an observer member in AGCOM’s Media and Digital Literacy Coordination Table. Specifically, during the reporting period, FIDU’s activities related to media literacy and the fight against disinformation focused on four main areas: advocacy, training, participation in cross-sectoral activities, and publications.
Regarding publications, FIDU continued to disseminate media literacy resources and produced additional analytical and awareness-raising outputs addressing authoritarian interference and threats to civic space, including work on transnational repression (TNR) and related tactics—such as online smear and disinformation campaigns targeting dissidents—that contribute to information suppression, distort information environments and generate a chilling effect on participation and free expression, highlighting how TNR and FIMI can operate hand in hand.
Furthermore, FIDU’s work on disinformation includes constant monitoring and analysis of disinformation in the context of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. In collaboration with Ukrainian partners, FIDU works to raise awareness of the realities of the war while countering pro-Kremlin narratives. This includes continuous monitoring of how these narratives circulate through both traditional and online media, identifying recurrent themes and targets, and analysing the methods and channels used in influence operations affecting public debate in Europe.