The second report on the EU Fact Check concerns a publication on the risk of cyber-attacks, ahead of the European elections next May. We have chosen this subject because it is a matter of broader interest and involves state governments, especially in Europe, giants of digital services, public opinion, and the media. It is of great importance as this soundless, digital “war” has entered the daily life of citizens and organizations, with significant consequences for both country governments and a simple user employing daily accounts in online services. The selected news item was published extensively in the online press, focusing on possible hacker attacks addressed to politicians and civil society organizations during EU Parliamentary elections 2019. It was originally broadcast by the news agency Athenian Macedonian News Agency and its content was re-published in almost all of the Greek websites where the specific news was published. The content of the publication is described as accurate and true, though brief. However, confusion temporary was caused concerning the original source of news broadcasting and the localization of the primary material. This happened because the majority of the sites that hosted it, as well as the Athenian Macedonian News Agency, referred to an announcement of the company, but as it was found out after an extensive search, it concerns basically a post on the blog of that company, signed by its vice-president. The Greek websites made no reference to the name of the signatory, with the sole exception of a single site which named him. However, the selected news is not inaccurate, untrue or misleading because its content has been identified and verified by the vice president statements which have been interpreted correctly and accurately.
RESEARCH | ARTICLE © Ioanna Eskiadi and Stella Antonakopoulou, School of Journalism & MC, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
