Social media and gullibility.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Sweet f**king Jesus.

More than 1/2 million people followed or liked Putin’s Troll Factory during the 2016 US Election.

I wonder if we’ll ever see the figures for the Brexit campaign?


From Twitter.

https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/topics/company/2018/2016-election-update.html

As previously announced, we identified and suspended a number of accounts that were potentially connected to a propaganda effort by a Russian government-linked organization known as the Internet Research Agency (IRA).

Consistent with our commitment to transparency, we are emailing notifications to 677,775 people in the United States who followed one of these accounts or retweeted or liked a Tweet from these accounts during the election period.

[hoolahoop]

Christ and that's just Twitter,  however you will find these fake accounts all over the media fora . I have an interest in Ukraine and I first saw this in action when the Russians took over Crimea and then the consequent campaign in Eastern Ukraine . I followed the online news outlet Ukraine Today along with many others with sympathies for the regime . They ( the Russians ) literally crawled all over the forum and strangled any debate about the downing of MH 17. Since then they have done that with the Guardian forum over Brexit . Threads  are put up and discussed late afternoon and evening and .......demolished by 9.00am . The time difference giving them the time to load all the replies on by the time everyone is up and dressed . Dozens of pro Brexit stuff tumbles in , unchallenged and from fairly new if not entirely new accounts. The Remain voice never had a chance  !

None of this tweaking of the perceptions of the general public comes as a surprise. The only surprise is that it is a surprise.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Or the UK election etc etc.  Labour have learnt this very well. A great strategy.  Not quite moral though.

[Glyn_Wigley]

Are you really equating Labour's use of social media in the last election with Russia's systematic dissemination of fake propaganda under a cloak of anonymity in order to interfere with the politics of another country?

[Nudga]

Strange how the UK television news outlets have stopped reporting on what's happening in Ukraine.

[wilts rover]

The thing is 'fake news', 'black propoganda' whatever you want to call it, it has always been there in some form. The difference being now is that it is more immediate - and more measurable.

The interesting think to me is does it change people's opinions - or just reinforce them? How many people didn't vote for Hilary because she was part of a child abuse ring in a pizza restaurant or because they didn't actually like her or her policies?
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-unpopular-polling

Similarly however much people tell BFYP about the Zinoviev letter, the Daily Mail, £350 million on the side of a bus, guido fawkes, call centres in Wales and improper election expenses - its unpaid Labour activists who are immoral!!!

[hoolahoop]

Are you really equating Labour's use of social media in the last election with Russia's systematic dissemination of fake propaganda under a cloak of anonymity in order to interfere with the politics of another country?

In this case 2 other countries as well Glyn. There is nothing wrong with individuals from the countries concerned posting or upticking posts etc in a planned campaign .
This behaviour from Russia set out deliberately to alter any reality with their false facts in other countries democratic debates . In the case of Brexit the Remain side was attacked by both the hacks of Trumps Breibart friends AND the Russian troll factories .

They have interfered with both a Presidential election which brought about the election of the 1st anti- NATO President since the war. This as well as ostensibly dividing the UK from Europe and further driving a wedge between other NATO allies I.e. France and the UK ........job well done with the Trumpsters and Brexiters unaware of what they have been a party to.

[Glyn_Wigley]

Strange how the UK television news outlets have stopped reporting on what's happening in Ukraine.

All news stories have a limited shelf-life of interest, especially foreign stories. Some newer story will always push older ones out of the spotlight.

[hoolahoop]

Strange how the UK television news outlets have stopped reporting on what's happening in Ukraine.

You have a point there and still there is a stand-off albeit I think Russia has bigger fish to fry in Syria. The fact that the EU has become more involved with Ukraine has made Putin wary in the region and all the more determined to break up the cohesion of both the EU ( Brexit ) and NATO.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

My point was all parties use it to some extent. Is it really ant different to wartime propaganda etc?  It's an age old thing. How do you make sure there is truth etc? Has there ever been or must you rely on your own judgement. 

Being involved in a news story this week makes you realise just how poor the news, reporting and political stuff is from EVERY angle.

To the points made to me above, in this country labour have got very good at social media no matter how good you think it is. Other parties still rely on other means and that is changing.

Texhnology opens it up to less control and more influence. That brings negatives e.g. Russia and positives in that we learn some more truths globally.  I'm pretty sure the UK does it abroad though, we certainly are no better.

[bobjimwilly]

Labour being on the ball with social media != immoral advertising or propaganda

[SydneyRover]

WR "The interesting think to me is does it change people's opinions - or just reinforce them?".

Probably not "dyed in the wool" voters but political party's go for the swinging voters first because they know that they can be persuaded. Other voters require a longer term strategy of education and nurture. So in answer to your question if someone just needs a bit of a nudge then yes these tweets and fake news stories can change votes.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Labour being on the ball with social media != immoral advertising or propaganda

That's not my point and I think it's excellent what they've done.

Still the point stands that everyone using it for a purpose does use immoral, propaganda elements.   I used to follow Trump - enough said.  UK PM is twisted facts to the suit the agenda also.  The thing is clearly none of them write it either.  I'd like to know what they actually think.  Social media is essentially a very  exaggerated version of modern society.  I use it less and less it has lost that fun.

[hoolahoop]

Labour being on the ball with social media != immoral advertising or propaganda

That's not my point and I think it's excellent what they've done.

Still the point stands that everyone using it for a purpose does use immoral, propaganda elements.   I used to follow Trump - enough said.  UK PM is twisted facts to the suit the agenda also.  The thing is clearly none of them write it either.  I'd like to know what they actually think.  Social media is essentially a very  exaggerated version of modern society.  I use it less and less it has lost that fun.

" UK PM is twisted facts to the suit the agenda also ."

Sorry Andy what does this mean ?