Narrative intelligence and the fight against digital manipulation

Illustration: TBS

Authoritarian regimes worldwide are using technology to tighten their grip on power through censorship, information manipulation, mass surveillance, commercial spyware, and state-sponsored cyber incidents. These tools enhance institutional control over domestic and transnational political and social debate.

The internet is a powerful tool, allowing people across the globe to connect, share information, conduct business, and learn. In Bangladesh, this tool played a critical role during the July 36th student movement, a "revolution" supported by people from all walks of life and political views, particularly youth, against a government that was initially elected democratically but later devolved into a fascist regime.

Historically, the youth of Bangladesh have always been active in voicing concerns about issues such as education, corruption, and political reforms. Remember the days of fiery speeches and passionate protests when students took to the streets, demanding change, justice, and a better future for themselves and their country? Those days may not be entirely gone, but something has changed, and it's important to shed light on what happened during the July 36th "revolution." 

In the early days of the Internet, information was shared primarily through static websites and email chains. However, with the emergence of social media platforms, the power dynamics of information dissemination shifted. A new battlefield has emerged—one where words are weapons and truth is often the casualty. This battle is fought on social media through carefully crafted narratives fuelled by the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

Narrative attacks, fuelled by misinformation and disinformation, played a significant role during Bangladesh's July 36th student movement. These attacks included deliberate campaigns aimed not only at discrediting the movement's leaders and motives but also at portraying minorities and religious groups in a negative light through fabricated stories. In the Internet age, deep fakes, misinformation, and disinformation are not merely byproducts of human error; they are often deliberately crafted and disseminated for political gain, financial profit, or social manipulation. 

The accessibility of information on various platforms has blurred the lines between credible content and fabricated narratives, making it increasingly difficult for individuals, especially youth, to distinguish truth from falsehood. The very structure of social media platforms can amplify these false narratives, spreading misinformation and disinformation to a wide audience in a short time. 

Misrepresenting facts, creating fake accounts, and using fabricated stories and manipulated images to sway public opinion are common tactics used to push harmful narratives without revealing their true intentions. Understanding the nature of this threat is crucial for developing resilience in a world saturated with conflicting information.

Misinformation is a multifaceted phenomenon that has evolved significantly with the rise of digital communication. At its core, misinformation thrives on emotional triggers and cognitive biases. People are naturally inclined to share information that resonates with their beliefs or emotions, often without verifying its accuracy. 

This tendency to act impulsively on social media, where users are frequently exposed to content reinforcing their existing views, contributes to the rapid spread of misinformation. Users become both consumers and producers of content, leading to the democratisation of knowledge, but with significant pitfalls. 

By crafting compelling, fact-based narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, engaging storytelling can transform complex data into relatable experiences, fostering empathy and understanding. However, the viral nature of social media allows misinformation to spread quickly, often outpacing fact-checking efforts and leaving individuals vulnerable to manipulation. Poor decision-making in this environment can lead to societal divisions and foster distrust in institutions at both individual and collective levels.

The world of narrative intelligence is fascinating. At its core, narrative intelligence is about how we make sense of the world through stories—understanding the power of narratives and how they shape our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Narratives influence how we interpret information and make decisions, especially when we go beyond merely listening to a story and instead engage with the meaning behind it, decipher its message, and relate it to our own lives.

 Narratives have always been a fundamental part of human experience, and now they are intertwined with technological advancements. The interplay between technology and narrative has given rise to a new form of storytelling that prioritises emotional resonance over factual integrity. This shift has sparked discussions across disciplines such as sociology and psychology about the implications of misinformation on public discourse and individual belief systems.

Technology plays a crucial role in both the dissemination and mitigation of misinformation. While it can be a conduit for misinformation, it also holds the potential to combat it. Innovative tools and platforms like Blackbird.AI's constellation narrative intelligence platform and Compass are designed to harness narrative intelligence for real-time fact-checking and verification. In a report published by a local newspaper, 

Blackbird.AI detected significant anomalous activity around the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, identifying atypical patterns of content propagation originating from India. Reports of looting and vandalism to which some Bangladeshi students and residents responded by protecting Hindu homes and temples were exaggerated or fabricated. Many of the misleading posts originated from India, as confirmed by a BBC Bangla report. 

The Global Risk Report of the World Economic Forum 2024 ranks India highest for the risk of misinformation and disinformation due to the widespread use of social media and propaganda driven by high levels of polarisation and media distrust. Blackbird. AI's Bangladeshi founders remind us of the importance of critical thinking in discerning truth from falsehood and cultivating a more informed society.

Building resilience against misinformation requires narrative intelligence and integrating insights from multiple disciplines. Sociologists study the social contexts that enable misinformation to thrive, while psychologists explore cognitive biases that lead individuals to accept false narratives. 

A cross-disciplinary approach can address the complexities of misinformation, combining sociological insights into social dynamics with psychological frameworks for individual susceptibility. This involves creating educational programs that teach critical analysis skills, emphasising sourcing information from credible outlets, and encouraging collaborative fact-checking efforts. By cultivating these skills, individuals can become more resilient against narrative attacks and contribute to a healthier information ecosystem.

Ultimately, the journey from propaganda to digital misinformation underscores the urgent need for proactive engagement with information. In "Bangladesh 2.0," let's commit to using some simple tips to help spot misinformation and disinformation:

1. Who's the source? Think about the source of the information. Is it a credible news organisation, a respected expert, or a random blog post? If unsure, research the source. A quick Google search can tell you a lot about a website or organisation's reputation.
2. Check the facts: Don't take everything you see online at face value. Always verify the information by checking multiple sources. Fact-checking websites can help determine accuracy.
3. Watch out for clickbait titles: Sensationalised stories are often designed to attract attention, regardless of their accuracy. Be wary of overly dramatic headlines.
4. Pay attention to visuals: Images and videos can be easily manipulated. Look for signs of alterations, such as blurred edges, unusual lighting, or inconsistencies in the background.
5. Consider the context: Read the entire article or watch the full video before making a judgement. Context is key to understanding information.
6. Be sceptical of conspiracy theories: conspiracy theories are often designed to create fear and distrust. If something seems too good (or too bad) to be true, it probably is.
7. Don't spread rumours: Think twice before sharing information. If you're unsure of its accuracy, don't spread it.
8. Check your own biases: We all have biases that influence our perceptions of information. Be aware of them and consider how they might affect your interpretation.
9. Trust your gut: If something feels off, trust your instincts. Question what you're seeing and seek out more information.
10. Speak up: If you see misinformation being spread online, call it out. Share accurate information, report misleading content, and encourage others to be responsible.

Understanding these psychological underpinnings is essential for constructing narrative strategies to navigate the digital information landscape and promote critical thinking. In an era dominated by rapid information exchange, especially on the internet, the ability to navigate narratives is more crucial than ever. 

Narrative intelligence encompasses the skills needed to discern the underlying messages of stories, recognise biases, and evaluate the truthfulness of information. This skill set empowers individuals, particularly youth, to become not just passive consumers of information but active participants in the information ecosystem. 

By equipping themselves with the tools and knowledge to discern truth from falsehood, they can contribute to a more informed and resilient society—building Bangladesh 2.0.

Barrister Tasnuva Shelley is an advocate at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.