Media Influence Instructions for Smarter Internet Users
Illustration: CC BY-NC-ND Alex Klobouk - Push bot Push bots are so-called social bots, computer programs that can simulate human behavior. They post, comment & interact in social networks, acting like real users. By spreading dozens, hundreds or thousands of posts and comments, push bots can manipulate public opinion. They were used successfully e.g. in the recent Ukraine-conflict to create a pro-Russian opinion, as well as in the last presidential elections in the US: Supposedly 32.7 % of the pro-Trump and 22.3% of the pro-Clinton posts were genrerated by bots.
Illustration: CC BY-NC-ND Alex Klobouk - Pull bot Pull bots are so-called social bots, computer programs that simulate human behavior. Today, much of the online shopping or booking is executed by pull bots. They support the user and are able to solve increasingly complex tasks.
Illustration: CC BY-NC-ND Alex Klobouk - Echo chamber Echo chambers are filter bubbles are created while we navigate through the Internet using social media and search engines. We like, subscribe and share information. This information is used to create tailor-made offers for us. When it comes to merchandise, this may be useful. When it comes to people and opinions, it is dangerous: if a provider only suggests friends, groups and information that match me, this confirms of prejudices and one-sided, dogmatic visions.
Illustration: CC BY-NC-ND Alex Klobouk - Fake news Fake news are misinformation spread on purpose. Often they are created for commercial use: Flashy fake news generate a lott of clicks. Each click means money. Once fake news are shared in a circle of friends, facebook makes such popular posts visible for a much bigger group - the posts spread widely. This can influence public opinion and has also resulted in violent actions.
Illustration: CC BY-NC-ND Alex Klobouk - Instructions Question your emotions: Reacting very emotional to a text or post? What caused this effect? What`s the content? | Recognize quality journalism: Check on: construction, motivation - different sources provided? Different perspectives? | Check the sources: Reliable? Who speaks? Who profits? Who payed? | Enjoy a diverse media diet: Check on what »the others« say - today that's easier than ever.
Kit for media awarness
Populism and nationalism are spreading all over Europe and beyond. The Internet play a decisive role when it comes to distributing information and propaganda.
It is not always easy to tell apart truth from lies or to dismantlE internet manipulation; it is important to understand how the differnet information channels work and to train our media awareness.
Here is a little illustrated introduction and a useful KIT FOR MEDIA AWARENESS.
*T-Shirt: llustration of twitter echo chambers. Followers of Hillary Clinton and followers of Donald Trump hardly connect and therefore are not aware of the other's world views. NZZ / VICE
