Divergent Digital Trajectories: A Comparative Analysis of Anti-Disinformation Strategies in Estonia, Hungary, and Romania

Abstract

Within the current sociotechnical paradigm, the accelerated development of digital technologies has transformed information circulation, making disinformation a transnational phenomenon with significant consequences for democracy, national security, and even for social cohesion. This article investigates the divergent institutional responses to digital disinformation in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically analysing the cases of Estonia, Romania, and Hungary. Using a qualitative-comparative case study design, the research explores the impact of media literacy, institutional trust, and governance models on societal resilience. The findings indicate that collaborative "whole-of-society" models (Estonia) are significantly more effective than authoritarian (Hungary) or fragmented (Romania) approaches. The study highlights how the lack of coherent strategy and low institutional trust creates vulnerabilities that are exploited not only by external actors but, in some cases, by domestic political entities.