DHS calls it MDM, “mis- dis- and mal-information,” and according to the Feb. 7th National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin – February 07, 2022 (which is released quarterly), it is the greatest terrorism threat to the U.S.
Key factors contributing to the current heightened threat environment include:
- The proliferation of false or misleading narratives, which sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions:
- For example, there is the widespread online proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding unsubstantiated widespread election fraud and COVID-19. Grievances associated with these themes inspired violent extremist attacks in 2021.
- Malign foreign powers have and continue to amplify these false or misleading narratives in efforts to damage the United States.
- Continued calls for violence directed at U.S. critical infrastructure; soft targets and mass gatherings; faith-based institutions, such as churches, synagogues, and mosques; institutions of higher education; racial and religious minorities; government facilities and personnel, including law enforcement and the military; the media; and perceived ideological opponents. (1)
Cognitive Infrastructure Efforts Need to Expand and Innovate
In January, we used the Swedish Psychological Defence Authority as a case study in a nationwide effort to educate the general population about tools available for individual and collective defense against misinformation and, more importantly, the strategic framing the Swedes use to communicate that it is a civic responsibility to take responsibility for defending against misinformation.
CISA Graphic Novel “Resilience Series”
It is time to move away from a pure analysis of the problem and to start testing tools and formats for mounting an American-style psychological defense and addressing the failures in our cognitive infrastructure.
Graphic novels, aka comic books, are a uniquely American art form – which may be a great place to start with a younger generation in the classroom, or when onboarding employees at a company or at a government agency. It is a compelling medium for many generations.
At least CISA thinks so – and has released the first in a series of graphic novels:
Disinformation is an existential threat to the United States, our democratic way of life, and the critical infrastructure and functions on which it relies. CISA’s Resilience Series (of which Real Fake is its first graphic novel) communicates the dangers and risks associated with dis- and misinformation through fictional stories that are inspired by real-world events.
CISA encourages everyone to use care when consuming information they receive or come across. Practicing media literacy—including verifying sources, seeking alternative viewpoints, and finding trusted sources of information—is the most effective strategy in limiting the effect of disinformation.
The Resilience Series highlights the importance of evaluating information sources to help individuals understand the risks from foreign influence operations on our society and democracy. (2)
Graphic Novel: Real Fake
First in the series, Real Fake demonstrates how threat actors capitalize on political and social issues (especially around election cycles) to stealthily plant doubt in the minds of targeted audiences and steer their opinion.
Readers follow protagonists Rachel and Andre as they discover that a command center in Russia is using a network of troll farms to spread false narratives about elections to American voters. With the elections coming up, Rachel and Andre follow the trail of synthetic media and stop the cyber assailants from causing chaos, confusion, and division.
- Download and share the Real Fake graphic novel
- Download the Real Fake transcript
- Check out the Real Fake trailer
Graphic Novel: Bug Bytes
Second in the series, Bug Bytes demonstrates how threat actors use social media and other communication platforms to spread inaccurate information for the sole purpose of planting doubt in the minds of targeted audiences to steer their opinion.
Readers follow protagonist Ava, a graduate, who uses her wits and journalism skills to uncover a disinformation campaign set to damage Fifth Generation (5G) critical communications infrastructure in the United States.
- Download and share the Bug Bytes graphic novel
- Download the Bug Bytes transcript
- Check out the Bug Bytes trailer
Related Reading:
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The OODAcast Video and Podcast Series
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