The Russian "Firehose of Falsehood" Propaganda Model

[Zorro]

Since its 2008 incursion into Georgia (if not before), there has been a remarkable evolution in Russia’s approach to propaganda. This new approach was on full display during the country’s 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula. It continues to be demonstrated in support of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria and in pursuit of nefarious and long-term goals in Russia’s “near abroad” and against NATO allies.

In some ways, the current Russian approach to propaganda builds on Soviet Cold War–era techniques, with an emphasis on obfuscation and on getting targets to act in the interests of the propagandist without realizing that they have done so. In other ways, it is completely new and driven by the characteristics of the contemporary information environment. Russia has taken advantage of technology and available media in ways that would have been inconceivable during the Cold War. Its tools and channels now include the Internet, social media, and the evolving landscape of professional and amateur journalism and media outlets.

We characterize the contemporary Russian model for propaganda as “the firehose of falsehood” because of two of its distinctive features: high numbers of channels and messages and a shameless willingness to disseminate partial truths or outright fictions. In the words of one observer, “New Russian propaganda entertains, confuses and overwhelms the audience.”

Contemporary Russian propaganda has at least two other distinctive features. It is also rapid, continuous, and repetitive, and it lacks commitment to consistency.

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/perspectives/PE100/PE198/RAND_PE198.pdf

This article provides a primer on how information operations can shape popular opinion. These techniques have been implemented not only by the Russians, but also by Fox News and the right wing echo chamber -- who for years have persuaded their viewers and listeners to support policies antithetical to their best interests.

[mn9driver]

1. I've read similar descriptions of Russian/Soviet propaganda

written by expats. The internal Soviet propaganda "firehouse" isn't new. It was designed to overwhelm any dissenting views. And it worked.

We are seeing the same technique being applied to our own politics now.

[Eyeball_Kid]

2. The article is also a playbook...

For the Trumpy propaganda machine. It's completely recognizeable as Trumpy's efforts to "distort reality" and his insistence on winning every news cycle.

[dalton99a]

3. Trump is a practitioner of this model