Propaganda, disinformation and misinformation do not only influence YOUR opinion. False information, whether intentional or not, threatens democracy because it destroys trust in politics, justice, media and science, manipulates public opinion, influences elections, deepens divisions, and incites people against each other.
Take the Test. Get valuable tips and train your critical thinking!
Does a text, image or video “just” inform you about something, or is it deliberately trying to push you in a certain direction?
Deliberate manipulation has always existed, but social media and AI have made such content production easier. The reach is now broader and the impact is stronger. That’s why it is crucial to recognize and combat it.
Social media post, flyer, advertisement, speech, election poster…
Choose an example and test it for manipulation!
e.g., “Haitians are eating cats and dogs” (Disgust), “Our language is dying” (Fear), “How to become a millionaire: Watch this” (Curiosity), “Best kept crypto secret: Buy now!” (Greed, FOMO), “Why do refugees have a newer cell phone than I do?” (Envy), “EU bans French fries.” (Anger, Outrage), “Why are men/women like commercials? You can’t believe a word they say.” (Humor);
e.g., “the Refugees”, “the Unbelievers”, “the Elite”, “the Pharma Lobby”, “the Rich” “the Beggars”, “Black people”, “Jews”, “Women”, “Old white men”;
e.g., “Only NATO is to blame”, “Politicians are (always) corrupt”, “(All) Luxembourgers are rich”, “Journalists (never) tell the truth”, “Without immigration, unemployment would disappear”, “Without the foreigners, no one would empty our trash bins”;
e.g., “Man-made climate change is a hoax. The sun is to blame.”, “The police report 4,000 protestors.” vs. “The organizers mention over 10,000 protesters.”, “Nazism is widespread in Ukraine.”, “According to experts, birth time and date shape your personality.”
Is it a chain letter? Is the request linked to an emotional story or to a call for donation, to a warning, to joining a group, to a voucher, a promise of easy money, or even a threat?
The bar shows you whether it is rather information or manipulation.
These questions allow for an first content analysis and can lead to different results depending on the person. You can deepen your analysis by asking questions about the context: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY? Why am I being shown this information? What does it want from me?
Propaganda and disinformation thrive on being believed, repeated and shared without a second thought. Do not spread any content without questioning it, especially if it triggers you emotionally!
Of course, you can’t constantly ask yourself all these questions. With enough practice and critical thinking, the following questions are often sufficient:
1. Who is behind the statement? (Source/Author)
2. What is the evidence? (Source/Proof)
3. What do other (reliable) sources say? (Comparison)
If you can’t find an answer, it’s better not to share this content, or to point out that information is missing.
