Spotlight on Conspiracy Narratives & Disinformation

The propagation and proliferation of conspiracy narratives and disinformation is not a new phenomenon. It is an ongoing and systemic risk. However, in recent years, terrorist and extremist groups have increasingly utilised conspiracy ideologies as a tool for the radicalisation and recruitment of vulnerable individuals, exploiting their fears, uncertainties and doubts.

RAN practitioners are already aware of the ability of conspiracy narratives and disinformation to enhance the appeal of extremist narratives by providing ‘black and white’ explanations of polarising events, eroding the trust between people and governments, spreading hate speech, questioning the respect for expert analysis and in some cases, inciting and encouraging violence