Take, for example, the "birther movement" that falsely claimed President Obama wasn’t born in the United States, or the fabricated crisis in Sweden where foreign media amplified anti-immigrant sentiments using staged or misleading footage.
These episodes illustrate how calculated disinformation erodes trust, spreads division, and creates a fog of falsehoods that blinds societies to the truth.
A study by W. Lance Bennett and Steven Livingston, published in the European Journal of Communication, reveals how this "disinformation order" is dismantling the very foundations of democratic societies.
Here’s what you need to know.
A Swirl of Lies in Sweden
Let’s start with an example that sounds like it’s straight out of a spy thriller.
In 2017, filmmaker Ami Horowitz appeared on Fox News claiming Sweden was being overrun by violent immigrant crime waves.
His claims, backed by ominous video clips of burning cars and alleged assaults, quickly found their way to a rally speech by then-President Donald Trump, who proclaimed, “You look at what’s happening last night in Sweden!”
Except, there was no “last night in Sweden.”
Horowitz’s claims were debunked by Swedish authorities, fact-checkers, and even his own cameraman, who revealed selective editing had distorted the truth.
Yet, the story had already gone viral, reinforcing anti-immigrant narratives and casting doubt on legitimate journalism.
To make matters worse, a Russian news crew was later caught trying to bribe locals in a Swedish suburb to stage a riot on camera.
This chaotic episode highlights the disorienting power of disinformation to blur reality.
The Rise of the Disinformation Order
Bennett and Livingston define disinformation as "intentional falsehoods spread as news stories or simulated documentary formats to advance political goals."
Unlike simple misinformation, disinformation is calculated and systemic, designed to undermine trust in democratic institutions like the press and government.
It often gains traction through platforms that mimic legitimate journalism but have a sinister agenda: to sow confusion, anger, and distrust.
The "disinformation order" thrives on a perfect storm of factors:
- Declining Trust in Institutions: Confidence in governments, media, and other pillars of democracy is at historic lows. For example, studies cited by Bennett and Livingston show that trust in European governments fell from pre-2008 levels by over 10 percentage points in many cases, with less than 30% of citizens expressing confidence in their national parliaments by 2015. When citizens lose faith in official sources, they’re more likely to turn to alternative narratives that often include conspiracy theories or disinformation campaigns tailored to their frustrations.
- Radical Right Movements: Disinformation often aligns with the goals of nationalist, anti-globalist, and xenophobic movements, fueling their rise.
- Foreign Interference: Nations like Russia actively exploit these fractures, deploying troll farms, bots, and fake accounts to manipulate public opinion.
Amplifying the Noise: The Role of Media
Here’s the irony: even fact-checking efforts by reputable media can unintentionally amplify disinformation.
Remember the “birther movement” that falsely claimed President Obama wasn’t born in the U.S.?
Despite evidence proving otherwise, repeated media coverage gave the conspiracy oxygen, allowing it to fester.
A similar pattern occurred during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, when media attempts to debunk claims about widespread voter fraud inadvertently amplified them, lending legitimacy to unfounded fears.
According to Bennett and Livingston, this phenomenon—the “disinformation–amplification–reverberation (DAR) cycle”—is fueled by the structure of modern media systems, where the need for engagement often outweighs editorial caution.
An Ecosystem of Deceit
Disinformation isn’t confined to rogue operators or fringe websites.
It’s often backed by complex networks of political funders, think tanks, and media outlets.
For example, the Koch brothers have funded numerous conservative think tanks that indirectly contribute to spreading partisan narratives.
In the U.S., sites like Breitbart have played a pivotal role in mainstreaming alt-right narratives, often linking their content to broader agendas shaped by wealthy donors.
Meanwhile, Russian troll factories like the Internet Research Agency have industrialized the production of fake news, flooding social media with divisive content.
These operations include efforts to disrupt elections, as seen in Germany, where bots propagated anti-refugee rhetoric during election seasons.
According to Bennett and Livingston, these operations aren’t just about clicks or shares; they’re about altering the fabric of democratic discourse to destabilize institutions and erode public trust.
From Sweden to Your Backyard
The effects of disinformation aren’t limited to political scandals or international intrigue.
They’re reshaping everyday life, from elections to social cohesion.
Consider how chants of "fake news" at political rallies have emboldened attacks on journalists or how conspiracy theories about refugees fuel real-world hate crimes.
In Germany, for example, Russian hackers and bots have targeted elections and spread fake stories to stir anti-refugee sentiment, forcing the government to pass laws against online hate speech.
What’s at Stake
If left unchecked, the disinformation order could lead to a "post-truth" world where facts no longer matter, and public debate is driven by anger and fear rather than reason.
Democracies thrive on trust, compromise, and shared understanding—all of which are under assault.
Fighting Back
So, how can we resist this invisible war?
Bennett and Livingston emphasize that solutions go beyond fact-checking.
We need systemic change:
- Strengthening Institutions: Rebuild trust in governments, media, and other democratic pillars through transparency and accountability.
- Media Literacy: Equip citizens with tools to recognize and reject disinformation.
- Regulating Platforms: Hold social media companies accountable for the spread of harmful content.
Conclusion
The disinformation order is more than just a collection of lies; it’s a strategy to erode the democratic fabric of societies by exploiting declining trust in institutions and amplifying radical narratives.
According to Bennett and Livingston, disinformation campaigns disrupt electoral processes, destabilize center parties, and create an "alternative reality" that aligns with the goals of nationalist and authoritarian movements.
For example, coordinated efforts during the 2016 U.S. presidential election and Germany’s refugee crisis show how disinformation narratives can reshape public opinion and undermine democratic norms.
But awareness is the first step toward resistance.
By understanding how disinformation operates, we can protect not just our rights but also the future of our children.
Let’s ensure they inherit a world where truth matters.
Sources: Bennett, W. L., & Livingston, S. (2018). The disinformation order: Disruptive communication and the decline of democratic institutions. European Journal of Communication, 33(2), 122–139. Link to original article
For further reading: Aftonbladet debunk on Swedish crime claims | Oxford Internet Institute on Computational Propaganda
Study overview
Detailed Summary of "The Disinformation Order: Disruptive Communication and the Decline of Democratic Institutions"
The study by W. Lance Bennett and Steven Livingston, published in the European Journal of Communication (2018), examines the phenomenon of disinformation and its impact on democratic institutions.
Disinformation is defined as intentional falsehoods spread as news stories or simulated documentary formats to advance political goals.
The authors highlight how disinformation campaigns exploit declining trust in institutions, radicalize public discourse, and destabilize governments.
The authors argue that the "disinformation order" is not a series of isolated events but a systemic issue that threatens the democratic fabric of societies.
By focusing on key examples like the Brexit campaign, the election of Donald Trump, and international interference, the study explores how disinformation circulates, amplifies, and disrupts public spheres.
Key Definitions and Concepts
- Disinformation vs. Misinformation: Disinformation is intentional, strategic, and often manipulative, whereas misinformation refers to the unintentional spread of false information.
- DAR Cycle: The "disinformation–amplification–reverberation (DAR) cycle" describes how disinformation gains traction through amplification by legacy media, alternative platforms, and social media networks.
- Legitimacy Crisis: The study ties the rise of disinformation to declining public trust in democratic institutions, including governments, media, and civil society organizations.
Case Studies and Examples
- Swedish Crime Wave Fabrication: In 2017, filmmaker Ami Horowitz appeared on Fox News, claiming Sweden was experiencing a crime wave due to Muslim immigration. Although debunked by Swedish authorities, the narrative gained traction, fueled by selective editing and disinformation. This was further amplified when a Russian news crew attempted to stage riots in a Swedish suburb.
- The Birther Movement: Donald Trump’s promotion of the baseless claim that Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. is cited as an early example of how disinformation can enter mainstream discourse. Despite repeated fact-checking, the conspiracy persisted, demonstrating the durability of disinformation once amplified.
- Foreign Interference in Elections: The study highlights Russian disinformation campaigns as a critical threat. Operations such as the Internet Research Agency (IRA) employed troll farms, bots, and fake accounts to manipulate public opinion during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Germany’s refugee crisis, and the Dutch referendum on Ukraine.
Factors Driving the Disinformation Order
- Erosion of Trust: Surveys reveal a sharp decline in trust in governments and media across democracies, making the public more susceptible to alternative narratives. For instance, trust in national parliaments in Europe dropped to 30% post-2008.
- Radical Right Movements: The study links disinformation to the rise of nationalist, anti-globalist, and xenophobic movements. Platforms like Breitbart and Russia Today (RT) often blur the lines between news and propaganda.
- Social Media Algorithms: Platforms like Facebook and Twitter amplify disinformation by prioritizing engagement over accuracy, creating echo chambers where falsehoods thrive.
Impacts of Disinformation
- Destabilization of Institutions: Disinformation undermines trust in elections, governments, and media, creating chaos and eroding the public’s faith in democracy.
- Amplification of Hate: Disinformation campaigns often exploit divisive issues such as immigration and race, fueling prejudice and violence.
- Global Threats: Countries like Russia and China use disinformation as a tool of hybrid warfare to destabilize other nations, leveraging troll factories, cyberattacks, and propaganda networks.
Recommendations for Combating Disinformation
- Strengthening Institutions: Rebuilding trust through transparency and accountability is essential.
- Media Literacy: Educating the public to recognize and reject disinformation can reduce its spread.
- Regulating Platforms: Social media companies must be held accountable for the content they promote.
Bennett and Livingston emphasize that disinformation is not just a collection of lies but a systemic strategy to erode democratic values and institutions.
The study underscores the importance of addressing this issue through systemic reforms, education, and international cooperation.
Without action, the "disinformation order" could lead to a world where truth and democracy are permanently undermined.
