Skopje, August 8, 2025 — CIVIL – Centre for Freedom announced today the expansion of its core monitoring unit, renaming it CIVIL Hybrid Threats Monitoring Team (CHTM). The decision reflects the organization’s strategic shift toward a broader and more integrated approach to addressing the complex landscape of hybrid threats facing North Macedonia, the Western Balkans, and Europe.

Originally focused on monitoring disinformation and propaganda campaigns, the newly renamed team will now operate under an expanded mandate that includes the detection, analysis, and exposure of disinformation, foreign operations of influence, cyber manipulation and attacks, political interference, hate speech, and other components of hybrid warfare.

“Hybrid threats are evolving, and so must we,” said Jabir Deralla, CIVIL’s founder and editor-in-chief of the organization’s media platform. “This team is not just about tracking lies in the media anymore. It’s about defending democracy at its very core. That means confronting, head-on, the sophisticated and often coordinated attacks on truth, peace, and stability.”

A Multi-Dimensional Response to a Growing Threat

The CIVIL Hybrid Threats Monitoring Team will work across platforms, languages, and regions to identify and expose patterns of manipulation and influence operations. While the organization confirms that the team’s scope will cover a wide spectrum of hybrid threats — from disinformation and propaganda to political interference and hate speech — CIVIL will not disclose its methodology or the identities of team members, for obvious security and operational reasons.

“This is highly sensitive work that targets actors who are determined to undermine democracy,” said Deralla. “Our strength lies not only in our expertise and commitment, but also in our ability to protect the integrity of our operations and the safety of our people.”

CIVIL has been at the forefront of election observation, human rights, media freedom advocacy, and countering disinformation and hybrid threats for more than two decades. This transformation reaffirms the organization’s determination to stay ahead of emerging challenges and to contribute decisively to the global struggle for democratic values.

“War doesn’t always arrive with tanks and missiles,” Deralla added. “Sometimes it comes as bots and trolls, manipulated narratives, foreign agents in suits, and a flood of digital propaganda. This team is here to expose it all.”

Strengthened Capacity and International Collaboration

As part of its expanded mission, the team will deepen cooperation with regional and international partners, including participation in the Defending Democracy Global Initiative, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, and various EU-aligned efforts to counter authoritarian influence.

The unit will also incorporate AI-assisted tools, data analysis techniques, and cross-border information exchange mechanisms to better track hybrid operations and malign actors.

CIVIL – Center for Freedom