Explaining Ukraine

How to win an information war? - with Peter Pomerantsev

8 snips
Jun 19, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Peter Pomerantsev, a scholar and author focused on information warfare, shares insights from his work on countering propaganda. He argues that traditional fact-checking methods fail because people seek identity and belonging rather than mere facts. The conversation dives into the legacy of Sefton Delmer, who used innovative strategies during WWII, including creating fake radio stations to sway opinions. Pomerantsev also discusses the importance of community in combatting misinformation and influencing perspectives within Russia.
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INSIGHT

Propaganda Targets Identity

  • Fact-checks alone do not work against propaganda as those impacted seek identity and belonging, not just facts.
  • Effective information warfare requires addressing deeper psychological needs beyond mere truth dissemination.
ANECDOTE

Sefton Delmer's Unique Role

  • Sefton Delmer was a British journalist who infiltrated Nazi Germany and later led anti-Nazi propaganda efforts.
  • He used his fluency in German and insider knowledge to counteract Nazi messaging effectively during WWII.
INSIGHT

Why Propaganda Lessons Were Forgotten

  • Propaganda knowledge was forgotten after WWII due to its association with deceptive tactics like fake news.
  • Western narratives preferred heroic stories, pushing aside complex and morally ambiguous counter-propaganda efforts by Delmer.
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