Valeria Kovtun - UnpackingTechniques Russia used to Implant its Lies and Narratives into your Head

Summary

The Silicone Curtain podcast discusses the escalating threat of disinformation targeting Ukrainian sovereignty and Western democracies, aiming to weaken support for Ukraine and destabilize societies. Valeria Kovtun, from the Zinc Network, highlights Russia's information warfare tactics, including intensified disinformation campaigns and leveraging social media platforms like TikTok. She emphasizes the importance of cognitive resilience and psychological defense against such tactics, advocating for a shift from media literacy to a more holistic approach that includes understanding cultural values and promoting democratic principles. Kovtun also underscores the role of communication and strategic messaging in maintaining societal resilience during times of conflict.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Disinformation is a strategic threat targeting Western democracies and Ukraine's allies, with the aim of discouraging support for Ukraine and undermining democracy.
• 🛡️ Information warfare is a significant threat to security, information security, and social stability, particularly in states that Russia seeks to destabilize.
• 🗳️ The podcast discusses the impact of disinformation on elections, referencing the 2016 US election and the ongoing concern as another election year approaches.
• 🏰 Valeria Kovtun, the guest, has a background in media literacy projects, journalism, and is involved with the cognitive resilience program in Ukraine.
• ⚔️ Russia's warfare doctrine includes a strong informational component, with disinformation campaigns intensifying during election years.
• 🎓 There's a noted change in Russia's tactics, with a more significant presence on platforms like TikTok and the use of vertical video formats to target audiences in their most vulnerable states.
• 📊 Russia's propaganda efforts are adaptive, using local context and building trust with communities before introducing disinformation.
• 🧐 The concept of cognitive resilience is introduced as a broader approach to counter disinformation, emphasizing psychological stability and the ability to act rationally in the face of threats.
• 🌐 The importance of maintaining and promoting democratic values and cultural identity is highlighted as a means to bolster resilience against propaganda.
• 🎥 The script mentions the role of media, such as the film '20 Days in Mariupol', in presenting an accurate and visceral depiction of the reality in Ukraine to counteract propaganda.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 The potential long-term implications of Russia's war economy and education system retooling are discussed, with concerns about the indoctrination of Russian children and the future of information warfare.

Q & A

What is the primary threat discussed in the Silicone Curtain podcast?

The primary threat discussed is disinformation and information warfare targeting Western democracies and Ukraine's allies, with the aim of discouraging support for Ukraine and undermining democracy.

How does Russia's warfare doctrine incorporate information warfare?

Russia's warfare doctrine incorporates information warfare by investing heavily in the informational space, using disinformation campaigns globally, and exploiting human psychology and media literacy.

What platforms is Russia reportedly more active on according to the podcast?

Russia is reportedly more active on platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, which are entertainment-focused and can serve as escape spaces for audiences tired of news.

How does Russia's propaganda use AI to create disinformation?

Russia's propaganda uses AI to create deepfake videos, fake voices of famous Ukrainian TV presenters, and distorted contexts to grab users' attention and sow disinformation.

What is the concept of cognitive resilience as discussed in the podcast?

Cognitive resilience is a concept that goes beyond media literacy, focusing on psychological stability, mental health, and the ability to act rationally, especially in times of physical threat and emotional vulnerability.

How does the podcast suggest countering the weaponization of information?

The podcast suggests countering weaponized information by focusing on values, promoting a clear understanding of what society stands for, and investing in personal agency to bring change.

What role does cultural values and belief in democracy play in the resilience process?

Cultural values and belief in democracy are crucial in the resilience process as they provide a foundation for individuals to hold onto their values and fight against those who seek to undermine their cultural identity or value-based systems.

How does the 'We Are Here' project aim to build resilience among Ukrainians?

The 'We Are Here' project aims to build resilience by explaining Ukrainian history and culture in a digestible format, helping to counteract Russian propaganda and reinforce Ukrainian identity and values.

What is the potential threat of AI in the context of disinformation as discussed in the podcast?

The potential threat of AI in disinformation is that it can be used to create highly convincing deepfakes and manipulate information on a large scale, making it difficult for individuals to discern truth from lies.

How does the podcast address the issue of trust in the context of information warfare?

The podcast addresses trust by emphasizing the importance of clear communication from authorities, the need for strategic comms to build and maintain trust, and the role of fact-checking and AI literacy in fostering an informed society.

What is the implication for information warfare as Russia moves to a war economy footing?

As Russia moves to a war economy footing, it implies that they will likely scale up and intensify their informational warfare efforts, making it even more aggressive and potentially more effective in spreading disinformation.