Public attention to the issue of foreign state interference, as recently experienced in Canada and currently the subject of a judicial inquiry, is the first indicator that freedom of thought principles might be in play. In this paper, the author suggests ways to counter these campaigns, beginning with government taking the lead in enhancing public understanding of all national security threats, including those posed by disinformation.

Key points:

• Online disinformation operations by foreign state actors continue to be a prominent tool of disruption.
• Disinformation operates in a permissive information environment. In a functioning democracy, although disinformation can make the maintenance of freedom of thought more difficult, its potential impacts on freedom of thought are limited.
• The best tools to use in countering disinformation campaigns involve educating the public about how to recognise disinformation and building resilience in targeted and vulnerable communities.