Prime Minister’s Office to begin publishing overviews of Russian information influence activities targeting Finland

The first publicly available overview of information influence activities targeting Finland sheds light on Russia’s rhetoric and means of exerting influence.

The overview of information influence activities discusses state influence activities targeting Finland with a primary focus on Russia. The overview is based on publicly available sources.   

The overview was drawn up by the Strategic Communications Team at the Prime Minister's Office and will be published on a yearly basis. The work is one component of the operating model for government security management, which is currently under development.  

 “There has been a lot of talk about changes in the information environment over the past few years, and people are clearly interested in the topic. Prior to this, there has been no overview of information influence activities available to the public. This is one way the authorities can use their expertise to provide more information and contribute to the discussion,” says Päivi Paasikoski, Director General at the Prime Minister's Office.  

Information influence activities target individuals and society  

The overview defines information influence activities as goal-oriented and systematic acts aimed at influencing public opinion and people’s behaviour and undermining the ability of society to function.  

According to the overview, Russia’s information influence activities focus on threatening and fear-inciting rhetoric that Russia aims to insert into the public debate in the target country. Key narratives include framing NATO as an aggressive alliance, criticising support for Ukraine and questioning the motives behind Western sanctions policy.

Inquiries:

• Director General Päivi Paasikoski, Prime Minister's Office, tel. 0295 160 136
• Senior Communications Specialist Saara Jantunen-Paju, Prime Minister's Office, tel. 0295 160 592

The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected].

The Strategic Communications Team at the Government Communications Department in the Prime Minister’s Office was established in 2021. Its tasks include monitoring the information environment and drawing up communications recommendations for the Government and other authorities.