DIGITAL HYDRA: SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF FALSE INFORMATION ONLINE
DIGITAL HYDRA: SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF FALSE INFORMATION ONLINE
Contributor(s): Anna Reynolds (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Social Sciences, Economy, Media studies, Geography, Regional studies, Communication studies, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: media; information; communication; fake news; ICT; social media; platforms; blogs; third-party services;
Summary/Abstract: The study investigates misinformation and disinformation on social media in the context of the rise of ‘fake news’ and the birth of the ‘post-truth’ era. Are these concerns substantiated by facts? What are the consequences of these phenomena for the information environment? Most importantly, do these phenomena pose a threat for our societal security? This study will provide actionable knowledge by answering to these questions. This introduction is an attempt to position the emergence of ‘fake news’ in a wider societal context. Particular emphasis is placed on the cognitive biases that enable information manipulation. In turn, this will lead to a discussion about the tactics employed by adversarial actors to carry out information activities.
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-9934-564-19-2
- Page Count: 84
- Publication Year: 2017
- Language: English
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
(INTRODUCTION)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Media studies, Communication studies, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:5-10
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:online; information; disinformation; security; fake news; social media;
- Summary/Abstract:The study investigates misinformation and disinformation on social media in the context of the rise of ‘fake news’ and the birth of the ‘post-truth’ era. Are these concerns substantiated by facts? What are the consequences of these phenomena for the information environment? Most importantly, do these phenomena pose a threat for our societal security? This study will provide actionable knowledge by answering to these questions.
PLATFORMS: GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE, LANGUAGE
PLATFORMS: GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE, LANGUAGE
(PLATFORMS: GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE, LANGUAGE)
- Author(s):Giorgio Bertolin, Katerina Sedova
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Media studies, Geography, Regional studies, Communication studies, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:11-30
- No. of Pages:20
- Keywords:Russia; media; communication; information; narratives; ICT; social networks; security;
- Summary/Abstract:Different platforms dominate different cultural-geographical areas. Different networks lend themselves to different exploitation tactics. Social media companies are aware of the impact that disinformation planted online has on public discourse, and have come up with some countermeasures. However, it remains to be seen the extent to which these countermeasures are effective. Russian-speaking internet users prefer Russian-made social media platforms. These platforms are qualitatively different from their Western counterparts, and can be used more effectively in disinformation campaigns by malicious actors.
BLOGS, FAKE NEWS, AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES
BLOGS, FAKE NEWS, AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES
(BLOGS, FAKE NEWS, AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES)
- Author(s):Nitin Agarwal, Kiran Kumar Bandeli
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Communication studies, Evaluation research, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:31-46
- No. of Pages:16
- Keywords:ICT; media; communication; social networks; blogs; fake news; social media platforms; facebook; twitter;
- Summary/Abstract:Blogs provide fertile ground for framing narratives. This chapter demonstrates that aside from the blog post itself, reader comments can make the narrative more persuasive. However, the absence of a social network structure for blogs inhibits the dissemination of these narratives. Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are used as vehicles to disseminate the content using cross-media and mixed-media tactics. The link between blogs and social media platforms is vital for understanding contemporary disinformation campaigns.
THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND FAKE NEWS MEDIA SITES
THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND FAKE NEWS MEDIA SITES
(THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND FAKE NEWS MEDIA SITES)
- Author(s):Nora Biteniece
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Communication studies, Evaluation research, Marketing / Advertising, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:47-60
- No. of Pages:14
- Keywords:media; communications; information; fake news; ICT; third-party services; security; advertising; social networks;
- Summary/Abstract:This chapter discusses how user data collected by third-party services coupled with online advertising technologies can be exploited for targeted information activities. This chapter also presents findings from our study of online news sources mentioned in a discussion regarding the NATO presence in the Baltic States and Poland on Twitter. The discussion is referred to as the Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) dicussion, using NATO’s name for its defence and deterrence posture in Eastern Europe.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
(CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Communication studies, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:61-65
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:communication; media; information; fake news; online; ICT; social media platforms;
- Summary/Abstract:This publication highlights how false information online brings about a number of security implications. We likened false information to the Lernaean Hydra, the mythical creature that could generate two new heads for each head it lost to the axe. According to the myth, Heracles slayed it by thinking outside the box, burning the stumps of the severed heads, and smashing the only true mortal head the monster had with a rock. Analogously, anyone who is battling disinformation online must think beyond simply debunking single stories.
GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
(GLOSSARY)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Communication studies, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:66-72
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:media; communication; information; fake news; ICT; social media; glossary;
- Summary/Abstract:The entries presented here are intended to help the reader understand the key terms that are discussed throughout the research product. This unofficial terminology, updated as of 1st November 2017, is aimed at serving further research. The list is inclusive, i.e. it includes terms that are not used in the study, but are central to the discussion. Moreover, some of the entries were not intended to be descriptions in the original context: when this is the case, the “comments” section points it out. While the list is inclusive, only one definition is given for each term, in order to keep this glossary simple and easy to use.
ENDNOTES
ENDNOTES
(ENDNOTES)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Communication studies, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:73-84
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:media; communication; information; fake news; ICT; social media; endnotes;