Expert: Trolling can cause public distrust in state authorities

RIGA - Organised trolling can sow public distrust in state authorities and lead to a loss of confidence in a country’s policies, Maris Cepuritis, a researcher at the Center for Eastern European Policy Studies, told BNS.

In Latvia’s internet environment, organised trolling has been observed on the so-called “click portals”, which look like news portals but in fact, post various content for financial or political gain.

Cepuritis divides trolling in two types of activities – there are individual trolls who like to engage in online ranting for their own enjoyment, and there are organised trolls that have been mobilised to support Russia’s official position and organise campaigns against other countries.

“When an opinion or development undesirable to Russia appears [on the internet], or political decisions are taken that do not suit Russia’s interests, these trolls get involved in discrediting them by using humor, dodgy remarks and selective information,” Cepuritis says.

The expert praised the initiative of former diplomat and the Center for Eastern European Policy Studies’ member Ingmars Bisenieks to create a movement of Latvia’s “internet elves” in order to counter trolling activities.

“There are a number of websites in Latvia’s internet environment the content of which is strictly aligned with Russia’s official position. It will be the elven group’s job to check and disprove this information if necessary,” said Cepuritis.

He also said that if necessary the Center for Eastern European Policy Studies will provide information to the “internet elves” about Russian trolling methods and other issues they might find interesting.