Combating disinformation and preserving truth in modern conflicts

OPINION:

The boundaries between truth and lies are increasingly blurred in our 24/7 digital and media environment. The strategic manipulation of information continues to be a threat in today’s conflicts. This can be seen in attacks on faith, the Israeli and Hamas conflict, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Understanding the foundations of Soviet-style active measures and how they are still used in today’s online environment is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.

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Throughout the Cold War, active measures were a powerful blend of overt and covert techniques to influence global events, undermine political adversaries, and mold global perceptions. These measures encompassed disinformation, propaganda, subversion, and the manipulation of political movements. By sowing the seeds of false information and distorting facts, modern-day Russia, aided by China, Iran, and their proxies are exploiting societal rifts and corroding trust in democratic and religious institutions, leaving a detrimental impact.

Artificial intelligence created by ethical, interfaith technical leaders who support fact, not political fiction, can help you become more discerning about what you read and understand the different tools of war used to manipulate you.

These key terms provide an understanding of tactics being used to disrupt and create conflict:

Disinformation is intentionally false or misleading information spread to deceive and manipulate public opinion or obscure the truth. Conversely, misinformation refers to incorrect or deceptive information that is spread without the intent to deceive, often due to misunderstandings or errors. Reflexive control involves manipulating an opponent into decisions that produce desired outcomes by presenting carefully crafted information to influence perceptions and actions. Together, these actions pose a great risk as 4 billion people vote worldwide in 2024.

In the Israeli and Hamas conflict, disinformation campaigns target deeply rooted cultural and religious divides, increasing tensions and prolonging conflicts. False stories and manipulated media stoke fears and mistrust of Israel, a U.S. ally and the only democracy in the Middle East. For example, accusations of Israeli war crimes during recent hostage rescues are leveraged to cloud Israeli success, deepen societal fractures, and undermine the legitimacy of Israel’s actions.

Similarly, Russian disinformation campaigns have targeted conservative and faith audiences shaping perception, accusing Ukrainians of being “Nazis” and persecutors of religion to justify their military actions. These campaigns aim to delegitimize Ukraine’s sovereignty and bolster support for Russian actions both domestically and internationally by spreading false stories about Ukrainian nationalism, the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government, and religious freedom. As outlined in various reports and eyewitness testimonies, we can see it is Russia, not Ukraine, who are committing terrible acts, including murdering and torturing Christian leaders, kidnapping children, and destroying churches.

Given the urgency of these issues, it is important to prioritize our efforts in countering disinformation.

• Transparent communication of information sources is key to understanding potential biases and motivations behind the information we consume. Identifying which information comes directly from a foreign government or its proxies and disclosing these true origins transparently rather than through politically motivated curation enlightens readers about the biases and motivations behind the information they consume. While the core objectives differ, the technical methodologies used in ransomware source coding could be adapted to enhance the efficacy of disinformation campaigns.
• Protecting historical realities, including religious history and text like the Bible, relies on AI systems that are retrained with accurate historical, non-biased data and actively countering attempts to rewrite history. We have seen Israel and Taiwan blatantly removed from maps, raising the question of how we can ensure the accuracy of other historical data. AI systems should be equipped to identify and flag attempts to distort historical facts, ensuring that the digital information landscape remains firmly grounded in truth.
• Implementing a bias rating system akin to AllSides.com can give users a spectrum of perspectives on various issues—left, right, and center. This allows users to see alternative viewpoints and make more balanced decisions regarding their beliefs, helping to counteract echo chambers and promote a more nuanced understanding of complex issues. 

A multifaceted approach is crucial for preserving truth during intense information warfare. By identifying sources of disinformation and misinformation, providing balanced perspectives, and leveraging the power of AI to preserve historical accuracy, we can empower the faith community with the tools to navigate today’s complex information landscape effectively.

Ultimately, by prioritizing comprehensive measures that not only support free speech but also protect religious freedom, we can mitigate the impact of modern disinformation and ensure our information ecosystem maintains its integrity with accurate and reliable content.

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Lisa Gable is a CEO, former US Ambassador, UN Delegate, and author of Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller “Turnaround – How to Change Course When Things Are Going South.” Lisa is recognized worldwide as a turnaround mastermind and innovative businesswoman and started her career in the Reagan administration.