As parliamentary elections approach in Hungary, a study highlights a widespread dissemination of pro-government messages on the Telegram app, fueling fears of an organized influence campaign.
According to analysis by Vox Harbor, waves of coordinated publications have been identified, with similar content disseminated simultaneously across multiple channels, suggesting a structured strategy aimed at influencing public opinion.
A significant portion of these messages would be linked to Russian actors or actors affiliated with Russia, according to the study, although Moscow has previously rejected accusations of interfering in foreign electoral processes.
The publications in question warn of the consequences of a possible defeat for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has been in power for 16 years, emphasizing the political and economic risks for the country.
This digital offensive comes in a tense electoral context, with polls showing the opposition in the lead, led by Peter Magyar, a former ally of the government who has become a rival.
The opposition accuses Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party of conducting a massive disinformation campaign, combining traditional media, social networks and artificial intelligence-generated content to influence voters.
For their part, the Prime Minister's supporters claim that they are only presenting facts and in turn denounce an alleged propaganda campaign supported by the European Union.
This climate of suspicion is part of a broader context of Western concerns regarding online influence operations, particularly those attributed to Russia.
On the eve of a crucial election, these revelations highlight the growing challenges related to disinformation and the integrity of democratic processes in Europe.
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