I suppose it’s kind of a rule for PAOs to challenge misinformation. Let’s take it a step further.
We learned a lot in Afghanistan, we dealt with several adversary groups, a culture adept in conspiracy sharing and deep political drama. Even the craziest false threads can travel fast and come to be accepted. This is just how things work.
Never let false information stand. If allowed to stand, false info contributes to the truth.
Sound obvious or basic? It’s not. PAOs argue, “if we engage the false info we are giving it more clout.” Maybe so but false info is dangerous; read this. Be creative and find ways to counter false claims without increasing clout.
If it’s an honest mistake, do we need to shout, “fake news!” or call journalists out personally? Probably not. Your best bet is to keep a positive relationship with the media. Helping them correct misinformation will help.
When a journalist makes a false leap in logic, quotes false info or states something even kind of not true, we like to give them a call. We should have a relationship with them, if not we’re definitely eager to start a new one. The conversation should be great and contribute to our long-term working relationship. Journalists don’t like holes in their stories and our engagement helps fill holes.
Sometimes it’s better not to engage but work to get the right info out – point some power users to it; creatively undercut the spinner of false info.
If we determine it best to engage, engaging can be done creatively enough without increasing the clout of misinformation. Sometimes blasting a social media user or propagandist for lying decreases their clout.
Redline: if someone says something wrong about you, your commander or your organization. Comment and call it false, expose the lie. If it’s inflammatory block or report the user.
I think DINFOS taught us countering false info is our job; I don’t remember. Be careful of the excuses we hear for not tackling inaccuracies. Relentlessly seek bad info and stomp it out.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
