En person som sitter vid ett skrivbord framför en dator.

Psychological defence

Foreign powers and others outside Sweden use disinformation, misinformation and propaganda to influence us.

Attempts to influence us, primarily through online platforms and social media, occur on a daily basis. The goal of these actions is to sow mistrust and erode our will to defend ourselves.

Those seeking to influence us may do so in the following ways:

  • Spreading lies, false narratives, or stories that are partially true, but taken out of context.
  • Manufacturing fake images, videos or voice recordings.
  • Attempts to elicit strong emotions related to certain issues or events to heighten a sense of worry or suspicion towards each other.

How you can contribute to our collective resilience:

  • Be mindful of content that elicits a strong reaction.
  • Only share information you know comes from reliable sources.
  • Try to verify information from several different sources.
  • Get verification from official government sources when something serious has happened.

We receive information from many different sources every day. Source criticism helps us evaluate what is trustworthy and who is behind the information.

Checklist for source criticism

  • Who is behind the information, and can you find the original source?
  • Who benefits if you spread it?
  • Why does the information exist? Does it try to influence your thoughts and actions?
  • How old is the information? Is it still relevant?
  • Where did you find it? Is the source reliable and previously confirmed?
  • Can you find the same information in other sources?
  • Also look for information that goes against your own opinion.

Counter misinformation
Be alert to false information and do not spread it further. By being critical, you can help prevent rumors and propaganda.

Don’t be fooled
On the website Bli inte lurad External link. (“Don’t be fooled”), you can learn to recognize disinformation, deception, and propaganda.

contact

Medborgarservice

Email: kommunen@boden.se

Phone: 0921-620 00