In early June, the Czech daily Hospodářské Noviny was first to report the European Union was forming “a special group to fight Russian propaganda.” Based in Brussels, the group will include experienced journalists and press officers who are fluent in Russian. It is charged with promoting the EU more effectively and strengthening its media presence, with special attention to Russian-language media.

Arguing that it had a mission to uphold the values of “democracy and liberty”, the corporation said it would set up new shortwave services to broadcast into those countries with a deficit of both, namely North Korea, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. It will boost its digital presence in Russia, where it may set up a satellite-television channel, and beef up its Arabic service. 

A Tibetan cultural exchange group is wrapping up a trip to Russia, arranged by the Chinese State Council. During their stay, the group met with the head of Russia's parliamentary committee for Public and Religious Organization, and scholars from institutes including the Russian Academy of Sciences and Tuvan State University.

Politicians, senior managers and PR experts listened to dozens of leading speakers at the conference. The main aim – to discuss the future role of communications in promoting brands , exchanging of ideas, strengthening civil society and even saving your reputation!

The BBC is set to unveil proposals for a significant expansion of the BBC World Service, including potentially a satellite TV service for Russian speakers and a daily radio news programme for North Korea.

The BBC has a fantastic radio documentary and magazine piece on the UK's leading digital diplomat Tom Fletcher (h/t @ukinaustralia). This critique of how US ambassadors attempt to influence online debates points to French Ambassador @GerardAraud as someone who 'does Twitter right'. Russia's game of trolls: how 'digi-kids' and anime is helping President Putin's fight for online supremacy.