How We Lost The Global Battle Against Disinformation: What We Can Do About It

Over the past decade, disinformation has become an increasing threat to our societies. With the rise of social media platforms and easy access to information online, false narratives and misleading content have spread like wildfire. As a result, the global battle against disinformation has been heavily undermined, and we are now facing the consequences.

Disinformation campaigns are not a new phenomenon. Governments and political organizations have long used propaganda to manipulate public opinion. However, with the advent of the internet, disinformation has taken on a whole new dimension. It has become easier than ever to create and disseminate fake news, making it difficult for people to distinguish truth from fiction.

One of the main challenges we face in the battle against disinformation is the speed at which false information spreads. In today's interconnected world, a single piece of misleading content can go viral within minutes, reaching millions of people before it can be debunked. This rapid dissemination of disinformation makes it even harder to regain control over the narrative.

Information Wars: How We Lost the Global Battle Against Disinformation & What We Can Do About It

by Richard Stengel(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2776 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	407 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Another factor that contributed to our loss in this battle is the lack of media literacy. Many people struggle to critically evaluate the information they encounter online. With the overwhelming amount of content available, it is easy to fall victim to false narratives that align with preconceived beliefs or societal biases. This lack of media literacy creates an ideal breeding ground for disinformation to thrive.

Furthermore, disinformation campaigns are often driven by malicious actors with ulterior motives. Whether it is foreign governments seeking to destabilize democracies or individuals with their own agendas, these actors exploit the vulnerabilities in our information ecosystem to sow discord and manipulate public opinion. The anonymity of the internet provides them with the perfect disguise, further complicating efforts to counteract their actions.

So, what can we do to fight back against disinformation?

1. Promote Media Literacy

Education is the key to combating disinformation. By promoting media literacy from an early age, we can equip individuals with the skills to critically evaluate information. Teaching students how to distinguish reliable sources from fake news, fact-check claims, and understand the motives behind certain narratives will empower them to make informed decisions and resist the influence of disinformation.

2. Strengthen Fact-Checking and Verification

Fact-checking organizations play a crucial role in the battle against disinformation. These organizations rigorously examine claims made in the media and on social platforms, providing evidence-based assessments of their accuracy. By supporting and funding reliable fact-checking initiatives, we can ensure that the public has access to trustworthy information and tools to verify claims independently.

3. Collaborate with Tech Companies

Social media platforms and search engines have significant influence over the information we consume. By collaborating with these tech companies, we can hold them accountable for their role in spreading disinformation. Implementing stricter guidelines to identify and remove false content, promoting credible sources, and enhancing algorithms to prioritize accurate information are all steps that tech companies can take to combat disinformation effectively.

4. Engage in Civic Dialogue

An engaged and informed citizenry is essential for a healthy democracy. By encouraging open dialogue and promoting diverse perspectives, we can create an environment where disinformation struggles to take hold. Civil society organizations, media outlets, and educational institutions all have a role to play in fostering conversations that challenge disinformation and encourage critical thinking.

5. Support Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is a crucial tool in exposing disinformation campaigns and holding those responsible accountable. By supporting independent journalism and investigative reporting, we can empower journalists to dig deep into the issues, uncover the truth, and present accurate information to the public.

While the battle against disinformation may seem overwhelming, it is not a lost cause. By collectively working towards promoting media literacy, strengthening fact-checking initiatives, collaborating with tech companies, engaging in civic dialogue, and supporting investigative journalism, we can take back control over the information landscape and counteract the effects of disinformation.

It is time to recognize the gravity of the situation and take action. The future of our democracies and societies depends on our ability to tackle the challenges posed by disinformation head-on. Together, we can reclaim the truth and ensure that reliable information prevails.

Information Wars: How We Lost the Global Battle Against Disinformation & What We Can Do About It

by Richard Stengel(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2776 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	407 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

A “well-told” insider account of the State Department’s twenty-first-century struggle to defend America against malicious propaganda and disinformation (The Washington Post).

Disinformation is nothing new. When Satan told Eve nothing would happen if she bit the apple, that was disinformation. But today, social media has made disinformation even more pervasive and pernicious. In a disturbing turn of events, authoritarian governments are increasingly using it to create their own false narratives, and democracies are proving not to be very good at fighting it.

During the final three years of the Obama administration, Richard Stengel, former editor of Time, was an Under Secretary of State on the front lines of this new global information war—tasked with unpacking, disproving, and combating both ISIS’s messaging and Russian disinformation. Then, during the 2016 election, Stengel watched as Donald Trump used disinformation himself. In fact, Stengel quickly came to see how all three had used the same playbook: ISIS sought to make Islam great again; Putin tried to make Russia great again; and we know the rest.

In Information Wars, Stengel moves through Russia and Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and introduces characters from Putin to Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and Mohamed bin Salman, to show how disinformation is impacting our global society. He illustrates how ISIS terrorized the world using social media, and how the Russians launched a tsunami of disinformation around the annexation of Crimea—a scheme that would became a model for future endeavors. An urgent book for our times, now with a new preface from the author, Information Wars challenges us to combat this ever-growing threat to democracy.

“[A] refreshingly frank account . . . revealing.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This sobering book is indeed needed to help individuals better understand how information can be massaged to produce any sort of message desired.” —Library Journal