Lesson 3: Countering Disinformation

Summary

This video, produced by the U.S. Department of State, addresses the evolving landscape of disinformation and strategies to counter it. It outlines how disinformation campaigns manipulate emotions to influence public opinion, often targeting political opponents or vulnerable groups. Tactics include deep fakes, coordinated messaging, and use of bots to amplify false narratives. The video emphasizes vigilance, fact-checking, and responsible sharing of information to combat these threats, while encouraging users to preempt disinformation during major events. The goal is to foster a more informed and resilient public in the face of harmful content.

Takeaways

• 🧐 Disinformation adapts to global trends and domestic events, often targeting political opponents or vulnerable groups.
• 😡 It uses exaggerated language to create strong emotional reactions like anger or fear.
• 📺 Disinformation often appears in doctored videos using AI, such as 'deep fakes' that make leaders appear to say things they didn’t.
• 🤖 Bots are used to spread the same disinformation across multiple platforms, giving it the appearance of viral activity.
• 🔍 Be skeptical of what you read or watch; use reverse image search and fact-check with credible sources.
• 📰 Verify news about major officials by checking their official websites and social media pages.
• 🌍 Visit fact-checking sites regularly to debunk rumors, but be cautious of false 'fact checkers.'
• 🚫 Avoid sharing or commenting on disinformation, as it can increase engagement and spread.
• 👁 Look for signs of coordinated disinformation campaigns, such as identical content across many accounts.
• 📢 Pre-bunking before major events can help steer the conversation by sharing verified information early with credible sources.

Q & A

What are the main goals of disinformation campaigns according to the script?

The main goals of disinformation campaigns are to discredit political opponents, institutions, or vulnerable groups, and to sow distrust or discourage people from speaking out or voting.

How do disinformers use coded language to avoid censorship?

Disinformers use coded language by referring to groups with slurs or nicknames, asking controversial questions to provoke emotional responses, or claiming that inflammatory information was meant as a joke.

What are 'deep fakes,' and how are they used in disinformation campaigns?

'Deep fakes' are doctored videos created with artificial intelligence to make it appear that someone, often a famous or influential figure, is saying something they are not. These are commonly used to mislead and manipulate audiences.

What is the difference between viral content and coordinated disinformation campaigns?

Viral content spreads quickly and widely due to organic sharing by users, whereas coordinated disinformation campaigns simulate virality by distributing the same messages, photos, and videos across multiple platforms and accounts in a deliberate and planned way.

What tools or techniques can be used to verify if a video or photo is part of a disinformation campaign?

To verify if a video or photo is part of a disinformation campaign, one can use tools like Google’s reverse image search to trace its origins, check if individuals in videos have flat eyes or unnatural lip movements (signs of deep fakes), and double-check stories with credible news outlets.

How can bots be identified on social media platforms?

Bots can be identified by checking a profile page for signs such as little personal information, reposted or copied content, a focus on a single topic, and minimal original content from the account holder.

What is 'pre-bunking,' and how can it be used to counter disinformation?

'Pre-bunking' involves posting accurate information early on, before disinformation spreads, and citing authoritative sources to preemptively steer the conversation in the right direction during major events like elections or crises.

Why is it important not to engage with disinformation, even in criticism?

Engaging with disinformation, even to criticize it, increases its visibility and engagement, making it more likely that others will see it. It’s important to avoid repeating or mentioning disinformation in order to prevent its spread.

What role do fact-checking sites play in countering disinformation?

Fact-checking sites play a crucial role in countering disinformation by debunking false rumors and providing credible analysis. However, it's also important to be wary of false 'fact-checkers,' another tactic used by disinformers.

What are the key steps individuals can take to stop the spread of disinformation?

Individuals can stop the spread of disinformation by being skeptical of what they read and watch, verifying information with credible sources, checking official websites for news about major officials, and avoiding sharing or engaging with disinformation.