THE DESTABILIZATION OF DEMOCRACIES THROUGH THE SPREAD OF DISINFORMATION: THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE
THE DESTABILIZATION OF DEMOCRACIES THROUGH THE SPREAD OF DISINFORMATION: THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE
Author(s): Fernando VELASCO, Jose Angel GonzalezSubject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Security and defense
Published by: National Institute for Intelligence Studies
Keywords: Disinformation; Intelligence Analysis; Critical thinking education;
Summary/Abstract: Internet may be the most relevant development of our times, but together withits many benefits it has brought new challenges. One of them is disinformation or the so-called“fake news”. This challenge should be approached both from an ethical and tchnological perspective. Internet gives us access to a big amount of data but not all ofit is true or valid, neither knowing the data is the same as understanding. Citizens areeager for information, but lies are more attractive than truths – generally considered asoverrated – and whistle-blowers and social networks seem to be the only trustworthysources. As a result, citizens – mainly the younger – are critically exposed todisinformation agents that sometimes even participate in disinformation networksorganized at a State level in the battle for information; which poses a great risk for ourdemocracies. A great problem to tackle this is the confrontation of legal measures tocontrol profit-guided Social Networks and the persistence of basic principles for the EUsuch as the freedom of expression. The most effective way to face disinformation notfalling under censorship must therefore be educating in critical thinking, and this meanseducating citizens in Intelligence Analysis.
Journal: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
- Issue Year: 2018
- Issue No: 19-20
- Page Range: 69-92
- Page Count: 24
- Language: English