Israel’s recent invasion might be the continuance of an old conflict, but it brought us something new and very depressing – social media propaganda campaigns:
Both sides deployed dangerous new media weapons during this latest round of fighting in Gaza. Armed with Facebook profiles, Twitter accounts, and Lavazza espresso, warriors fearlessly and tirelessly scoured the cyber battlefield searching for enemy (blog) outposts. Outfitted with high-tech ammunition like HD videocameras, firewire 800s, and white phosphorescent keyboards, they attacked one-sided videos, slanted essays, and enemy propaganda with propaganda of their own. Instead of grad rockets, they launched grad school wits. Instead of anti-tank missiles, they battled with anti-spamming technology. In 22 days of combat in Gaza, these were the young fighters tasked with winning the merciless war of public opinion for their side.
New technology, same old shit.
2 Comments
But are these campaigns so new. Or have they been underway for quite some time. I find the whole concept disturbing. It really undermines anything a rational civilian might say. If, for example, I were now to criticise Hamas actions online I would probably be accused of being part of a Zionist cable.
Youths are exploited on both sides of the border, that young man in Gaza for example, providing news content to mainstream organisations in the manner of a journalist but without pay and without belonging to any organised journalistic ‘union’.
It is disturbing that all of these young people are roaming around with new media tools taking up ‘a side’ when they could be exchanging views with one another instead and forming peaceful alliances.
And it’s also on the verge of violating Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights:
Article 20
1. Any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law.