Power Corrupts Disinformation and Deep Fakes
May 16, 2019
Peter Pomerantsev, a senior fellow at LSE with deep insights from Russian media, and Hani Fareed, a Dartmouth computer science professor specializing in digital forensics, discuss the catastrophic power of disinformation. They dive into the fascinating story of Operation Mincemeat, unraveling how a fake corpse helped turn the tide in WWII. The conversation shifts to the Kremlin's control of media narratives in Russia, exploring how reality TV shapes public perception and the emerging threat of deepfakes, stressing the urgency for media literacy in today's digital age.
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Episode notes
Disinformation vs Misinformation
- Disinformation differs from misinformation by intent; it's deliberately false and meant to deceive.
- Soviet intelligence used disinformation to make enemies harm themselves without direct conflict.
Making Reality TV Under Kremlin
- Peter Pomerantsev worked inside Russian media producing reality TV in the 2000s under Kremlin control.
- Russian reality shows were heavily scripted to uphold state narratives and confuse the public about reality.
Managed Democracy Puppet Show
- Russian political shows simulate democracy with Kremlin-controlled participants.
- This 'managed democracy' dissuades Russians from wanting real political alternatives.
