Operation Infektion Briefing Notes

About the film

The 2016 General Election brought to the fore many questions about the democratic legitimacy and fairness of our election system, and the security of our voting rights as well as the state of our political and civic discourse.

Previous Film Nights have addressed many of these issues:  voter suppression tactics and attacks on voting rights, gerrymandering, the security of our ballots, and the roles and power of right-wing media in our politics and of ‘dark money’ in campaign finance and ‘astro-turfing’ .

Our focus tonight is upon disinformation and false news and the roles of foreign and domestic actors and social media platforms. 

About Operation Infektion and ‘Russian Active Measures’

This New York Times film analyzes the history, tactics and objectives of Russian “active measures”, forensically dissecting the decades-old Soviet strategy and toolbox used to “tear the West apart”.  While other states have intervened in our elections, Russia has been, and remains the most significant foreign actor with its long-term, systematic strategic planning and industrial-scale facilities dedicated to disruption.  And it has produced a model ‘play-book’, including adapting to the potential offered by modern technology. 

As one interviewee explains, this has unleashed the potential of the internet and social media to use often preposterous lies to “deceive, manipulate, confuse and sow chaos” on an unprecedented scale.

The challenges

Our panel will help us navigate the complex challenges we face.

The scale

Since 2016 there has been a significant increase in politicians, organizations and groups (not just Trump and Fox News!)  routinely utilizing fraudulent news and disinformation tactics against political opponents or social campaigns

The wide access to and anonymity on social media have had many positive benefits, but also foster the proliferation of bots, trolls and fake accounts, as well as ‘incivility’ and irresponsibility. 

Disinformation and distortion now permeate our political and civic life.

Are we now beyond the point where “There is a real danger that fraudulent news may become the new normal, “

a distasteful, but not disqualifying political tactic.”? (American PEN)

The impacts are also wider ranging. Authentic expertise in all fields is undermined, and the distinctions between fact and opinion are blurred (“alternative facts”). This sows confusion and distrust of all messages, undermining standards for and confidence in journalism, and reinforcing ‘information silos’.

The impact of technology

We all know that modern data collection and digital platforms enable rapid, widespread and targeted placing and sharing of news and information. Big data sets hold detailed information about most voters. Search algorithms promote some stories over others. The expanding digital marketing industry brings new players to the scene.

There is now an ease, speed and breadth of scale and reach for amplifying messages across all types of media.

The wide access to and anonymity on social media have had many positive benefits, but also foster the proliferation of bots, trolls and fake accounts, as well as ‘incivility’ and irresponsibility. 

What can we do?  

Some ideas for the path forward are straightforward.  We can take personal responsibility to protect, protest and report (see the handout); we can promote media literacy and learn reliable fact-checking.

But what remedies should we seek via government regulation? What legal recourse should subjects of false news have?  And regarding data collection – how do we balance ‘sharing’ with security and privacy? How should the responsibilities of big tech social platforms be framed?

You should leave, not only informed, but prepared to act!