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

Summary

The 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.