Désinformation : une guerre du XXIe siècle - Le dessous des cartes | ARTE

Le Dessous des Cartes - ARTE

30 Mar 202412:16

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the manipulation of information and its strategic use in warfare, particularly focusing on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It highlights how the advent of social media and artificial intelligence has amplified the power of images and narratives, often exploited by non-democratic regimes. The video outlines the historical context, from Nazi Germany's propaganda ministry to modern-day Russia's use of state-controlled media like RT and Sputnik. It also covers the different categories of misinformation, including disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. The script further explores the tactics of influence, including white, grey, and black operations, and the use of social media platforms by trolls and influence entrepreneurs like Yevgeny Prigozhin. The video concludes by emphasizing the dual nature of social media in warfare, its potential for both harm and the mobilization of public opinion, as seen in Ukraine's counter-narrative efforts.

Takeaways

📸 A manipulated photo of a Nazi flag alongside a Ukrainian flag on an official building circulated on Russian social media to suggest Ukraine as a threat, similar to WWII narratives.
🎬 The photo was actually from a 2012 film depicting a 1942 football match organized by Nazis, showcasing the power of manipulated images in the age of social media and AI.
📰 The 20th century saw the rise of strategic information manipulation, notably by Nazi Germany's Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, led by Joseph Goebbels.
🔍 The UN categorizes misinformation into disinformation (intentional lies), misinformation (unintentional errors), and malinformation (part-truths used to deceive).
🌐 The advent of the internet and social media has amplified the impact of information warfare, with states using various tools and techniques to influence global narratives.
🏛️ The 'white influence' tactic involves diplomats denying state actions, such as China's ambassador in France denying human rights abuses against Uighurs.
📺 State-controlled media are used by authoritarian governments for information operations, contrasting with public service media in democracies that maintain editorial independence.
📡 Russia's international media influence includes RT and Sputnik, which have been used to spread narratives and disinformation, including during the invasion of Ukraine.
🛡️ China's strategy includes the Xinhua News Agency and the 'Great Firewall' to control information flow within its borders and abroad.
💡 The use of 'grey influence' tactics involves more discreet state actions, such as hacking operations to spread disinformation, like the Belarus-aligned 'Ghostwriter' group.
🤵 The rise of 'influence entrepreneurs' like Yevgeny Prigozhin, who created the Internet Research Agency to manipulate political discourse online, highlights the commercial aspect of information warfare.

Q & A

What is the significance of the photo that circulated on Russian social media platforms at the beginning of the war?
-The photo, which showed a Nazi flag flying alongside a Ukrainian flag on an official building, was used to propagate the idea that Ukraine is a threat and that Russia must intervene, similar to its actions during World War II. However, the building and flags were not real but part of a film set from a 2012 movie.
How did the 20th century see the spread of strategic information manipulation?
-The 20th century saw the manipulation of information for strategic purposes on a large scale, with one of the most emblematic examples being the Nazi regime's exploitation of propaganda through the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda led by Joseph Goebbels.
What are the three categories of information processes as defined by the UN post-COVID pandemic?
-The three categories are disinformation, which is based on completely false facts and aims to deliberately harm; misinformation, which is unintentional but still false; and malinformation, which is partially true but presented in a misleading way to cause harm.
What is the role of diplomats in the 'white' influence tactics?
-Diplomats, such as the Chinese ambassador in France nicknamed 'the warrior wolf,' play a role in denying any wrongdoing by their government in the media, and questioning the sovereignty of other countries.
How do authoritarian governments use state media in their information operations?
-Authoritarian governments control the entirety of the content disseminated through state media, unlike public service media in democratic regimes. They use it as a tool for their information operations to propagate their narratives and control public opinion.
What is the difference between RT and Sputnik in terms of their media influence?
-RT and Sputnik are both Russian state-funded media outlets, but Sputnik is known for its more offensive tone. Both are used to propagate Russian narratives and influence global opinion, often sharing content that aligns with anti-Western interests.
How does China's strategy for international influence utilize its press agency?
-China's press agency plays a central role in its international influence strategy, as other Chinese media are required to republish its dispatches for any event considered sensitive. Additionally, China has built a 'Great Firewall' to control information within its territory and limit access to foreign sites.
What is the 'grey' influence tactic and how is it exemplified?
-The 'grey' influence tactic refers to more discreet state-led information warfare, such as the operation Ghostwriter led by Belarusian hackers aligned with Russian interests. The operation aimed to hack media sites or European personalities' accounts to spread disinformation.
How has the advent of digital technology and artificial intelligence multiplied the strategies of propaganda and disinformation?
-Digital technology and artificial intelligence have allowed for more sophisticated and far-reaching dissemination of propaganda and disinformation. Authoritarian regimes have been quick to adopt these technologies to control information environments and manipulate public opinion on a global scale.
What is the role of social media in information warfare?
-Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit are heavily exploited in information warfare. They are targeted by trolls and bots that create fake profiles to sow discord and doubt, and to disseminate false information.
How do messaging applications like Telegram or WhatsApp contribute to disinformation operations?
-These messaging applications allow for the circumvention of account bans on social media platforms, enabling the continued spread of disinformation through private groups that serve as relays for misinformation campaigns.
What is the significance of the Internet Research Agency and its role in information warfare?
-The Internet Research Agency, created by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, is known for recruiting professionals to create politically biased content and comments. It gained notoriety for its influence operations during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, aiming to influence public opinion on a massive scale.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Disinformation and Manipulation in the Digital Age

This paragraph discusses the use of a manipulated image that circulated on Russian social media platforms, falsely suggesting that Ukraine is a threat and needs intervention. It also delves into the history of information manipulation, notably by the Nazi regime, and the modern challenges posed by disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. The paragraph highlights the role of social media and AI in amplifying these issues and the various tools and techniques used by authoritarian regimes to influence public opinion.

05:01

🌐 State-Backed Media and Cyber Influence Operations

The second paragraph outlines the strategies used by authoritarian states to exert influence through state-controlled media and cyber operations. It covers the use of 'white' tactics, such as diplomats denying human rights abuses and the role of state media in spreading propaganda. It also mentions the 'grey' tactics, including cyber operations like Ghostwriter, which aimed to spread disinformation about the origins of COVID-19. The paragraph further discusses the use of social media platforms by trolls and the rise of influence entrepreneurs like Yevgeny Prigozhin, who established the Internet Research Agency to create content and comments for political purposes.

10:04

🛡️ The Battle for Information in the Digital Realm

The final paragraph focuses on the ongoing battle for information, particularly on social media platforms, which can be used for both harmful and beneficial purposes in a democratic society. It emphasizes the role of social media in enabling Ukrainians to counter the Russian narrative and mobilize national and international public opinion. The paragraph concludes with a mention of Celine Maranger, a researcher specializing in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, who has published a book on information warfare in the digital age, and a teaser for the next episode of the video series.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Disinformation

Disinformation refers to the deliberate creation and sharing of false information with the intent to deceive and cause harm. It is a form of manipulation of information. In the video, disinformation is discussed in the context of historical examples such as the KGB's operation to spread false claims about the origin of the HIV virus, and more recent instances of state-sponsored campaigns to mislead the public.

💡Misinformation

Misinformation is the unintentional spread of false information, differing from disinformation by its non-malicious nature. Even though the information is false, it is not spread with the deliberate intent to deceive. An example given in the video is Colin Powell's incorrect presentation at the UN, which was based on flawed intelligence about anthrax, leading to misinformation about the justification for the Iraq War.

💡Malinformation

Malinformation is the sharing of true information with the intent to harm or mislead, often by taking the information out of context or presenting it in a deceptive manner. The video cites the Russian exploitation of images of Ukrainian battalion members with Nazi tattoos to falsely claim that the entirety of Ukraine is overrun by Nazism, even though the battalion is not representative of the Ukrainian army.

💡White Influence Tactics

White influence tactics refer to overt and acknowledged influence operations, often conducted by diplomats or official representatives of a state. The video mentions Chinese diplomats, like the one nicknamed 'the warrior wolf,' who publicly deny human rights abuses against the Uighur minority in Xinjiang, as an example of white influence tactics.

💡State Media

State media are news outlets that are controlled by the government and are used as tools for information warfare and propaganda. The video discusses how authoritarian governments use state media to control the narrative and spread their messages, with examples including RT and Sputnik for Russia, and Press TV for Iran.

💡Cyber Operations

Cyber operations, such as the one mentioned in the video called 'Ghostwriter,' involve hacking and cyber-espionage conducted by state-aligned hackers. The goal of these operations can be to spread disinformation, as in the case where the operation aimed to disseminate the idea that COVID-19 was spread in Europe by NATO forces.

💡Sovereign Internet Law (ruNet)

The Sovereign Internet Law, enacted in Russia, allows the state to control and monitor internet traffic within the Russian segment of the internet. This law enables the Russian state to slow down or block access to certain platforms and media, creating a restricted information environment for its citizens, as discussed in the video.

💡Trolls

Trolls are individuals who create fake profiles on social media platforms to sow discord and spread disinformation. The video highlights how trolls are used by states to manipulate public opinion and create confusion, particularly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

💡Influence Entrepreneurs

Influence entrepreneurs are individuals who establish and run organizations involved in information warfare and disinformation campaigns. The video references Evgeny Prigozhin, a Russian businessman who created the Internet Research Agency, known for its influence operations, including supporting Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

💡Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit are central to modern information warfare. They are exploited by various actors, including state-sponsored trolls and influence entrepreneurs, to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion, as described in the video.

💡Information Manipulation

Information manipulation is the broader term encompassing disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. It involves the use of various tactics and tools to alter the perception of truth, often for strategic or political purposes. The video discusses how states engage in information manipulation, especially leveraging new technologies and social media.

Highlights

The transcript discusses the manipulation of information during the invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the use of a manipulated image to portray Ukraine as a threat.

It explores the historical context of information manipulation, citing examples such as Nazi propaganda and modern-day disinformation tactics.

The discussion extends to the 21st century, categorizing misinformation into deliberate disinformation, unintentional misinformation, and malinformation.

Different levels of influence tactics are analyzed, including white influence tactics used by diplomats and state-controlled media.

Russian media outlets like RT and Sputnik are mentioned for their role in spreading propaganda, with RT seeking to expand its reach in Africa.

Iran's Press TV and China's Xinhua News Agency are discussed in the context of their government-backed influence efforts.

Gray influence tactics, such as cyber operations like Operation Ghoswriter, are highlighted for their covert nature.

The emergence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence has amplified the effectiveness of propaganda and disinformation campaigns.

The Russian government's control over the internet, exemplified by the RuNet law, demonstrates efforts to restrict access to independent information.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are targeted for spreading disinformation, with Russia and Iran cited as active players.

Entrepreneurs of influence, such as Evgeny Prigozhin, are mentioned for their role in orchestrating online influence campaigns, including support for Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

The transcript concludes by emphasizing the critical role of social media in shaping public opinion and countering disinformation.

It highlights the empowering aspect of social media in democracies while also acknowledging its susceptibility to manipulation.

The use of social media by Ukrainians to counter Russian narratives during the conflict is highlighted as an example of its positive impact.

The transcript references a book by researchers Céline Marangé and Maud Quessard, 'Les Guerres de l'information à l'ère numérique,' for further exploration of the topic.