Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI)
The concept and acronym of FIMI was coined by the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) to describe the interference of a foreign power in the information sphere.
FIMI differs from domestic information manipulation, sometimes referred to as DIMI, which can be promoted and exploited by internal actors such as political factions, extremist organizations, individuals or other local entities.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Describes a mostly non-illegal pattern of behavior that threatens or has the potential to negatively impact values, procedures, and political processes.
Such activity is manipulative in character, conducted in an intentional and coordinated manner.
Actors of such activity can be state or non-state actors, including their proxies inside and outside of their own territory.
What FIMI is and is not
FIMI in the Information Sphere
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) focuses specifically on harmful, unwanted influence within the information sphere.
Disinformation and FIMI overlap but are not the same, because disinformation can have a domestic origin as well.
FIMI is a broader concept that shifts focus from content to patterns of behavior aimed at interfering with the political integrity of states.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The European Union is moving towards a new standard of analyzing and responding to foreign information manipulation and interference.
A diverse range of actors has emerged who try to detect, understand, and respond - the defender community.
The EEAS' goal is to facilitate and contribute to the creation of an open-source, decentralized, and interoperable framework that increases the efficiency of sharing information.
Explore the Components of FIMI
A deeper understanding of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) can be achieved by exploring its core elements. Each framework is a critical piece of our strategy against disinformation. Click on each to discover how they drive our collective efforts.