Disinformation: The Psychological Operation Campaigns (PSYOPS)
Disinformation is a powerful tool in the hands of governments, militaries, and non-governmental organizations. Psychological Operations Campaigns (PSYOPS) are often used to disseminate disinformation in order to achieve a specific goal. In some cases, disinformation given can be used as a smoke screen for another operation. In other instances, the goal is to create confusion or doubt within an organization or amongst those who are being targeted by this specific PSYOPS.
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Governments often use disinformation as a tool in times of conflict or war in order to advance their agenda or goals. For example, during World War II both the Allies and Axis powers used propaganda and disinformation to try and sway public opinion in their favor. The Nazi regime is known for its effective use of propaganda, which was used to control the population by demonizing Jews and other minorities, as well as to create an illusion of a ‘superior’ German race. During World War II disinformation campaigns were also used by the Allies, with one example being Operation Mincemeat in 1943 where the British faked a military operation using a dead body that was dressed up and given false documents which pointed towards a fake Allied invasion through Greece. This trick led Nazi leadership away from Sicily, where they believed the next attack would occur.
In modern times it has become increasingly common for governments and militaries around the world to use disinformation tactics against terrorist organizations who attempt to recruit members through online propaganda on social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. One such operation is Project Servator, run by Britain’s counter-terrorism police unit (SO15). This operation uses a variety of tactics to disrupt and deter terrorist activity, one of which is the dissemination of disinformation or false information. For example, they may create fake social media accounts that are used to lure potential recruits into providing sensitive information such as their addresses or contact details.
There are several types of disinformation, but the most common is false information. False information can be presented in a variety of ways, including as news, articles, blogs, social media posts, or videos. It can also be presented as fact, when it is actually false.
False information can be very damaging, especially if it is used to manipulate the opinions of people who are unaware that it is disinformation. Disinformation campaigns can have a negative impact on democracy and lead to conflict and violence.
It is important to be aware of disinformation and its effects so that you can protect yourself from being manipulated by these campaigns. Be sure to verify the sources of information before sharing them with others. If you suspect that something may be disinformation, do some research to determine whether or not it is true.
What is Disinformation?
The term disinformation refers to false or misleading information that is intentionally spread in order to deceive people. It can take the form of outright lies, or it can be presented as partially true information that is used to manipulate people’s opinions.
Why Use Disinformation?
There are a number of reasons why someone might want to disseminate disinformation. Sometimes it is used simply to sow confusion and chaos, while other times it may be employed as part of an information warfare campaign aimed at discrediting an opponent or undermining their credibility. Disinformation can also be used to mask the true aims of a military operation, or even as part of an assassination attempt.
Operation Mincemeat (1943):
One famous example of disinformation is Operation Mincemeat, which was carried out by British intelligence services during World War II. They spread false information about Allied plans for invading Sicily in order to hide their true target, Greece. Soviet propaganda after WWII claimed that Germany had not actually surrendered but instead retreated into West Berlin and continued fighting on “a technicality” while they waited for reinforcements from the East German Army. This story gained traction largely because it coincided with Western media reports of low morale among German soldiers stationed in occupied territory at the time.
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964):
Perhaps one of the most well-known cases of disinformation is the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. The US government used false information to justify their involvement in the Vietnam War. In 1964, they claimed that North Vietnamese boats had attacked US ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, when in reality there was no attack. This incident led to the passing of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution by Congress, which gave President Lyndon Johnson authorization to use military force in Vietnam.
The Russian Dossier(2016):
The mainstream media in America has been widely criticized for its reporting on the 2016 presidential election, particularly how it covered the misinformation contained in the Russian Dossier and spread by the Hillary Clinton campaign. The dossier was presented in a way that made his entire campaign look like an attempt to collude with Russia to influence the election, when in reality there was no collusion.
Disinformation vs. Misinformation: What’s the Difference?
While disinformation refers specifically to false information that is disseminated intentionally with intent to deceive or manipulate people, misinformation can refer either to true or false information as well as partially-true information presented in order to mislead those who receive it. This makes misinformation more difficult than disinformation when trying determine whether something may be credible, especially since both terms are often conflated with one another. However, this also means that while attempts to cover up an event or deceive people with disinformation may be successful, cases of misinformation are more likely to be exposed over time as people come to realize that the information they received was not accurate.
Conclusion:
In short, disinformation is false information that is intentionally spread in order to deceive people, while misinformation can refer to true or false information that is presented in a way that misleads recipients. Both terms are often used interchangeably, but disinformation carries a stronger connotation of intentional deception. Disinformation can be used for a variety of reasons such as undermining an opponent’s credibility, hiding the truth about an event or operation, or sowing chaos and confusion.
Thank you for reading, and be sure to check out our other blog posts for more information on subject such as – PSYOPS: Propaganda, Censorship, and Disinformation and Censorship: The Psychological Operation Campaigns (PSYOPS).
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Photo By U.S. Army Mad Scientist Initiative, Futures and Concepts Center