Social Media OPSEC
Spotting Disinformation Actors
The problem of disinformation
There is no shortage of information, and accuracy can be hard to gauge. Misinformation is unintentionally inaccurate. Disinformation is intentionally inaccurate. Critical thinking skills are the best defense against mis/disinformation. It is important for Soldiers to be critical consumers of information, to not fall for disinformation campaigns, to recognize when misinformation may be present, and to not contribute to the spread of either.
How to Spot Disinformation Actors
1. BE CURIOUS
Independently verify the source and the information. Is more than one source reporting the same thing, or is this the only place you have seen the information?
2. BE REFLECTIVE
Pause, reflect, and investigate — especially if you immediately have an emotional reaction, which is the primary goal of fake news producers.
3. ACTIVELY INVESTIGATE YOUR NEWS SOURCES
Select news sources known for high-quality, investigative reporting. Search for these sources directly. Social media algorithms present information that reinforces your current views, not a balanced view.
4. LOOK FOR IN-DEPTH COVERAGE
Look for lengthy articles — long-form reporting — that capture some of the complexity of topics and events. One or two paragraphs is not sufficient.
5. USE CARE BEFORE SHARING NEWS CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Pause and reflect on news sources that arouse strong emotions, positive or negative.
All the Tips
Independently verify the source and the information. Is more than one source reporting the same thing, or is this the only place you have seen the information?
Pause, reflect, and investigate — especially if you immediately have an emotional reaction, which is the primary goal of fake news producers.
Select news sources known for high-quality, investigative reporting. Search for these sources directly. Social media algorithms present information that reinforces your current views, not a balanced view.
Look for lengthy articles — long-form reporting — that capture some of the complexity of topics and events. One or two paragraphs is not sufficient.
Pause and reflect on news sources that arouse strong emotions, positive or negative.
Spotting disinformation on the internet
Questions to consider with information on the internet and ways to spot disinformation in social media feeds.
