Handbook for journalists
The deteriorating global geopolitical landscape has increased the need for knowledge and awareness of information influence and influence campaigns. This handbook is designed for journalists, improving knowledge of how to identify information influence, the strategies and techniques used and how to counter disinformation the professional role of journalists.
Handbook content
The handbook is based on research from the Department of Strategic Communication at Lund University. It has been adapted for journalists and media organizations by the Psychological Defence Agency and the media institute Fojo at Linneaus University in Sweden.
The handbook is divided into three parts:
- How to become aware of information influence
- How to identify information influence
- How to counter information influence
Part 1: Becoming aware of information influence
The section describes what information influence is and how such communication exploits vulnerabilities in society. The section also presents a tool for assessing suspicious activity and identifying cases of information influence.
Part 2: Identifying information influence
In order to identify information influence and understand the purpose of influence activities, familiarity is needed with two overarching strategies employed – strategic narratives and targeted disinformation. Strategic narratives are stories designed to achieve a certain goal. Analysing strategic narratives is one of several approaches to understanding the logic behind suspected cases of information influence. Another way is to analyse at whom these strategic narratives are directed – i.e. who the intended target group is.
Part 3: Countering information influence
The section provides both advice on the organisation’s management of information influence, and advice for individual journalists. The advice for the organisation is primarily designed for the media house’s communicators, marketing department or suchlike. If a media house find that it is subjected to information influence, the organisation can contact the Psychological Defence Agency, which is tasked with providing advice and support to affected media upon request.