This study looks into the mechanisms, methods, and effects of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in the Republic of North Macedonia, with a special emphasis on national security, media diversity and social cohesion. As a country with a strategic position in the region, a member of NATO and a candidate for the European Union (EU), North Macedonia faces increased information threats coming from various state and non-state actors. These influences have the potential to disrupt democratic processes, weaken institutions and spur-on public distrust.

The study shows that Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference is not an isolated phenomenon, but part of broader hybrid strategies that combine disinformation, geopolitical narratives and cyber operations to shape public opinion and political decisions. The analysis covers multiple domains, including institutional readiness (with a focus on good governance), traditional media, digital space and social media, local communities and civil society organizations, identifying key methods and approaches used for political and ideological polarization.