In 2025, the creation and dissemination of disinformation are recognized as a significant societal and institutional challenge that affects not only the media space, but also the functioning of democratic processes, the trust in institutions and particularly the security situation.
Although the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022 continues to influence the presence of geopolitical and pro‑Russian narratives, other lines of disinformation have additionally intensified in the Macedonian media context – from anti‑EU and anti‑NATO messages to manipulative content related to electoral processes, health topics and new technologies, including artificial intelligence. The economic vulnerability of the media and the increased presence of content from regional propaganda sources create an environment in which such narratives are reproduced more easily, affecting the quality of information and efforts to build societal resilience to manipulative information.
The research “The Effect of Disinformation and Foreign Influences on Democratic Processes in North Macedonia in 2025” aims to determine the level of exposure to and influence of disinformation on citizens in the Republic of North Macedonia by combining analyses of the characteristics of disinformation flows with a public opinion survey conducted on a nationally representative sample. The applied methodology enables comparison with the results of previous research of the same type, including complementary surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023, providing insights into trends as a basis for setting priorities, conveyed in the form of recommendations toward a whole‑of‑society approach that seeks solutions to the structural causes of susceptibility to disinformation.
The research design is based on the conviction that only through systematic, empirically grounded observation can a realistic picture of disinformation trends and their impact be obtained. This approach is necessary for demystifying widespread disinformation and populist narratives – especially those that encourage apathy and impose the thesis that “everyone is the same,” thereby reducing motivation to participate in democratic processes. The goal of the research is to provide a factual basis for a more informed public debate and greater societal resilience.
The Metamorphosis Foundation conducted this research as part of broader efforts to expose the influence of foreign propaganda in the Republic of North Macedonia and to strengthen societal resilience to harmful anti‑democratic influences. Synergies were achieved with the project “Western Balkans Anti‑Disinformation Hub” (antidisinfo.net), supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as with activities for countering disinformation and developing media literacy, including previous projects supported by IFEX, IRI, TechSoup and the European Union.
