Library:The Russian 'Firehose of Falsehood' Propaganda Model
| The Russian 'Firehose of Falsehood' Propaganda Model | |
|---|---|
| Author | Christopher Paul and Miriam Matthews (RAND Corporation) |
| First published | 2016 |
| ISBN | — |
| Role | Analysis |
| Domains | Politics & Elections Technology & Media |
| Tactics | Propaganda Technique Fabrication |
The Russian 'Firehose of Falsehood' Propaganda Model is a 2016 report by Christopher Paul and Miriam Matthews (RAND Corporation). Source: RAND Corporation, Perspective PE-198 (2016).
Summary
Analysts at the RAND Corporation, a US research organization, described the characteristics of contemporary Russian state propaganda.
Four features
They identified four features: it is high-volume and multichannel; rapid, continuous and repetitive; lacks commitment to objective reality; and lacks commitment to consistency. Drawing on psychology research, they explained why these features can work, for example because repetition makes claims seem familiar and therefore true.
Responses
The authors suggested that directly refuting every falsehood is ineffective, and recommended warning audiences in advance, focusing on countering the effects of propaganda and competing with persuasive messaging of one's own.
Relevance to Bullshitopedia
A concise, widely cited model that explains why sheer volume can beat accuracy.