Digital Threat Digest - Belling the Beeb
Digital Threat Digest - Belling the Beeb
Last Wednesday, the BBC announced a new initiative called Verify. In addition to conventional fact-checking, it includes two main innovations. The first is to combine open-source investigation (OSINT), data science and journalism to investigate how disinformation spreads and who produces it. The second is to be fully transparent about its methods.
These measures will not only boost viewer media literacy but, by learning Verify’s own methods, equip the British public with the capability to interrogate information online themselves. It demonstrates a sophisticated, transparent, and democratic new approach to fact-checking.
However, Verify ultimately faces the same obstacle as all previous similar initiatives: Humans are led by emotions rather than reason or logic. Studies show that fact-checking combats ignorance but does not usually alter beliefs or behaviour. This is especially true for those who have bought deeply into conspiracy theories. Evidence for which can be found by taking a quick glance at the litany of Orwell references in response to BBC Verify on Twitter.
This begs the question: How do we combat disinformation successfully?
I believe the answer lies in learning to communicate the truth effectively. It’s not enough to simply disprove a falsehood. One needs to frame it within a compelling counter narrative. This requires empathising with people who fall sway to disinformation. Identifying who they respect and how to tailor facts to their perspective. I am glad to see the move beyond basic fact-checking, but for things to truly change, we need a parallel transition away from basic and didactic public communication.
PGI’s Digital Investigations Team brings you the Digital Threat Digest, SOCMINT and OSINT insights into disinformation, influence operations, and online harms.
More about Protection Group International's Digital Investigations
PGI’s Digital Investigations Analysts combine modern exploitative technology with deep human analytical expertise that covers the social media platforms themselves and the behaviours and the intents of those who use them. Our experienced analyst team have a deep understanding of how various threat groups use social media and follow a three-pronged approach focused on content, behaviour and infrastructure to assess and substantiate threat landscapes.
Disclaimer: Protection Group International does not endorse any of the linked content.