The liberal counterattack: fact-checking conspiracy theories

On May 11, 2025, a video titled “Counter-offensive of the globalists: political division in the West deepens | SASS is authorized to state” was posted on the CTVBY YouTube channel. It contained the following things:

In particular, the broadcast stated:

The revenge of the globalists? It already looks more like not a counter-offensive, with which we began today’s conversation, but a desperate defense against the advancing change, the objectively advancing change in the global world order. And this is probably where the change in methods of work and actions of Western politicians lies. After all, what was built 30 years ago, a little earlier, maybe, the plot, the whole construction of the so-called common Europe or the liberal world – these are human rights, this is the rule of power, this is democracy. Now, it is precisely this that is being crushed under the tracks of this liberal machine, which, trying to save, protect, preserve its dominant positions of recent decades, is turning its own values into powder. That is, we have already forgotten about independent media that call themselves liberal. We have forgotten about the rights of ordinary citizens, ordinary voters, who now, instead of receiving the promised benefits from their society, from their state, give it to wage someone else’s war. This is what is now being crushed – the law. So let’s look at one of such examples right now. Germany is being deprived of an alternative. A few days before the new German government headed by Friedrich Merz was sworn in, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution of Germany recognized the Alternative for Germany party as extremist, and this step provoked discussions about a possible ban on one of the most popular parties in the country and divided society into two camps. And while some are calling for an immediate ban, others are talking about an attempt to remove a political competitor from the scene. Ordinary citizens look rather positively at a possible ban, with almost half of the population supporting such a measure.

Our verdict based on the analyses conducted:

Verdict: Manipulated

Reasons:

• Document, photo, or video was edited to distort its meaning: something was artificially added or omitted – for example, parts of the image or video were cut out, text was replaced, digital effects were added, incorrect sound accompaniment or incorrect subtitles were inserted.
• The photograph or video was created using artificial intelligence (AI).
• The webpage or screenshot was faked to mimic a legitimate source or false sender identity.
• The graphics are manipulative, for example, because they represent data distorted by optical effects.

Fact-checking rating scale

Full video:

Analysis for signs of FIMI/DIMI:
Main signs of information influence:

1. Use of emotionally charged expressions:

   • Use of phrases like “counter-offensive of globalists,” “liberal-globalists have launched a counter-offensive,” “revenge of globalists” to form a negative image of a certain group of people.

2. Conspiracy theories and manipulation:

   • Claims about “globalists,” “transnational elites” who are allegedly trying to take control of the world create the ground for spreading conspiracy theories and incite fear.

3. Creating false juxtapositions and polarization:

   • The text juxtaposes “national elites” and “globalists,” “democracy” and “liberal machine,” thereby enhancing social and political division.

4. Disinformation and distortion of reality:

   • Information about the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is presented manipulatively, claiming political persecution without an objective analysis of the extremism accusations.

   • Narratives about the “irreversible degeneration of European civilization” are promoted, which enhances emotional impact and sows fear about Europe’s future.

5. Use of historical analogies and fact distortion:

   • Drawing parallels with Nazi Germany and World War II events to emotionally strengthen their own theses.

The text contains pronounced signs of information manipulation (FIMI/DIMI):

• Use of emotional pressure;
• Polarization of society;
• Spreading conspiracy theories and disinformation.

At the same time, some factual statements (for example, about events in Germany, Romania, India, and Pakistan) correspond to reality, but they are placed in a manipulative context, which distorts the overall picture of what is happening.
✅ Fact-checking key statements:

Manipulations and problematic points:

• The claim that the West is fighting against “true democracy,” and that democratic values are merely a façade is manipulative and speculative.
• Presenting the process of recognizing AfD as an extremist force only as an attempt to eliminate a political competitor is one-sided and manipulative.
• Claims about “globalists” and “liberals” who are allegedly trying to “take over the world” are clear disinformation and conspiracy theory.

The video contains pronounced signs of information manipulation (FIMI/DIMI):

• Use of emotional pressure;
• Polarization of society;
• Spreading conspiracy theories and disinformation.

At the same time, some factual statements (for example, about events in Germany, Romania, India, and Pakistan) correspond to reality, but they are placed in a manipulative context, which distorts the overall picture of what is happening.
Let’s analyze the disinformation narratives and perform a semantic analysis: