Activists Want Referendum to Draw Attention to Russian Propaganda

Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) – The civic association STREDA is preparing a referendum aimed at drawing attention to propaganda and disinformation campaigns as a form of hybrid warfare. „The main goal of the initiative is to highlight the destructive impact of Russian propaganda in our country," the organisers stated, noting that the activity will be launched in connection with the anniversary of the August 1968 invasion. Patrik Lenghart, founder of STREDA, warned that Slovakia has long been affected by influence operations carried out by the Russian Federation. „Every year we see new data confirming that our population is increasingly falling victim to propaganda and lies spread by undemocratic regimes, trusting European institutions less and more willingly accepting and repeating the narratives of dictators and war aggressors," he said. Believing the situation requires an unconventional solution, Lenghart and other STREDA members are proposing a referendum with the following question: „Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should suspend bilateral diplomatic relations for at least three years with any state that, through its institutions, elected officials, or state media, publicly expresses the possibility of using military force against the Slovak Republic or any member state of the European Union?" Founding member Peter Bestvina acknowledged the fate of past referendums in Slovakia [of which only the 2003 referendum on joining the EU was quorate-ed.note] but expressed hope that the upcoming initiative will at least spark a public debate that will serve as a "wake-up call for politicians, intellectuals, and the general public." STREDA is set to launch its petition drive for the referendum on the anniversary of the Warsaw Pact invasion of former Czechoslovakia. In cooperation with other organisations and activists, the association is also planning a series of events across Slovakia on 21 August. In Trnava and Bratislava, former Czech minister for human rights and minority affairs Michael Kocab — who played a key role in the early 1990s in the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia — will appear as a guest. Kocab has accepted the role of godfather to the referendum initiative. mf