W1 : The New Age of Warfare: Information as the Ultimate Weapon

With the rise of technology and the internet, it has become easier for individuals and organizations to manipulate information for their gain. The key challenge lies in identifying and countering these manipulations, as they can have big consequences to our society, politics and even personal lives. In this article, we will be going to dive into the topic.

 

(We’re In the Middle of a Global Information War. Here’s What We Need to Do to Win, 2019)


FUTURE VISION

Let's imagine a future scenario, around 30 to 40 years from now, where information warfare is completely countered and minimized. In this ideal state, information is reliable and free from manipulation. People can trust the information they receive and it can serve as a tool for progress and understanding rather than division and confusion.

 

(Jinghua, 2019)


SOLUTIONS

Increasing scholars' or professionals' salaries can potentially help reduce the incentive for individuals to engage in information warfare or being lured by foreign entities for malicious purposes. Higher or adequate salaries will provide scholars or professionals with financial security. Thus this will reduce the likelihood of them seeking alternative sources of income or being tempted by offers from foreign entities that may exploit their knowledge and skills for improper intention. (Harris & Bromiley, 2006)

 


(White, 2022)


Identifying which age group may be the most affected by information warfare and providing them with proper education and awareness is crucial in countering the impact of disinformation. (Klobuchar, Bennet, Slotkin Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Media Literacy Education and Improve Personal Cybersecurity, 2022) Different age groups may have varying levels of vulnerability to disinformation, for example children and adolescents may be more susceptible due to their limited experience and critical thinking skills. At the same time, older adults may be vulnerable due to limited digital literacy. By identifying which age group get the most affected, target interventions can be designed to address their specific needs.

 


(Perez, n.d.)


Implementing a source labelling system for the information we share can be a helpful step in promoting transparency and responsible information sharing. Platform integration is a great way to start with. By working with social media platforms, news outlets, and content sharing platforms to integrate the source labelling system directly into the system, for example features that prompt users to provide source information before sharing content or adding visible labels alongside shared content. (Strong, 2020)

 


(Hawthorne, 2017)


In a world where information can be easily manipulated and misleading, communication becomes the greatest tool at our disposal. Communication allows us to exchange ideas, share knowledge and build connections that can lead to meaningful and a better future.

 


References: 

Harris, J., & Bromiley, P. (2006). Incentives to Cheat: The Influence of Executive Compensation and Firm Performance on Financial Misrepresentation. Organization Science, 18, 350–367. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1060.0241

Klobuchar, Bennet, Slotkin Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Media Literacy Education and Improve Personal Cybersecurity. (2022, July 8). U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2022/7/klobuchar-bennet-slotkin-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-strengthen-media-literacy-education-and-improve-personal-cybersecurity

Strong, J. (2020). Toward Informed News Media Consumption: Avoiding Fake News Via Labelling of Online Content.

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