{"id":2052322,"date":"2023-10-02T12:45:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T16:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-disinformation-hoax-and-the-betrayal-of-the-american-voter\/"},"modified":"2023-10-02T12:47:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T16:47:08","slug":"the-disinformation-hoax-and-the-betrayal-of-the-american-voter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-disinformation-hoax-and-the-betrayal-of-the-american-voter\/","title":{"rendered":"The &#8216;Disinformation&#8217; Hoax: Betraying American Voters."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-disinformation-hoax-and-the-betrayal-of-the-american-voter%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2052322&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>In two recent episodes of American \u200cThought Leaders, host Jan Jekielek talks with Jacob \u200bSiegel about the dangerous\u2064 rise\u2062 of \u200ddisinformation and \u2064its impact on public \u200ddiscourse.<\/h2>\n<p>In his \u200dbook, &#8220;A Guide to Understanding the Hoax of the Century: Thirteen ways of looking at disinformation,&#8221; Siegel explores how technocratic officials have weaponized disinformation \u200bas \u2062a tool of deception, damaging the truth\u200c and undermining\u200d the\u2062 First Amendment.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan\u2063 Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>Your \u200d\u201cGuide to \u2064Understanding\u200d the Hoax of the\u2063 Century\u201d delves into disinformation, censorship, and the First Amendment. Can you explain what\u2063 the hoax of the century is?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>The\u200b hoax is the false \u200dnarrative that the threat of disinformation justifies a state \u200cof emergency, allowing unelected regulators and national security officials to violate the Constitution under \u200dthe guise of protecting the public from\u2062 disinformation.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>You define disinformation as both\u2063 a crime and a disguise. Can you elaborate on this?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>Initially, the\u200c threat of disinformation was attributed to Russia\u2063 during \u200bthe\u2063 2016 elections. However, \u200dwe now know that these claims were either fabricated or greatly exaggerated. Yet, this narrative expanded to encompass \u200cany dissenting voices, including those opposing lockdowns,\u200d mandatory vaccination, or the \u200dwar in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>It became a war on truth, a power grab\u200c masked \u200das public safety and national security.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>Tell us about \u2062your career.<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>Prior \u2062to my career in journalism, I served as a military intelligence\u2063 officer in\u200d the army.\u200b My deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan \u2063made\u200d me question the official accounts of the wars and\u2063 the discrepancies I witnessed on \u200dthe ground. These experiences\u200c led\u2064 me to critically examine our involvement in \u200cAfghanistan\u2062 and ultimately pursue a career in \u200bjournalism.<\/p>\n<p>When I\u200d joined the Daily Beast in 2012, I still believed in the \u200bsystem, but witnessing the frenzy surrounding Donald Trump and the Russian\u2063 collusion claims made me question the manufactured consensus. It was then that I realized\u200d the extent of the \u2064deception.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>One striking\u200b aspect of &#8220;The Hoax of the\u200b Century&#8221; is \u2062that it didn&#8217;t happen\u200d all at\u2062 once. Can\u2062 you explain?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>Indeed, there was a cohesive effort among high-level individuals in the U.S. government, the \u2064Democratic \u200dParty, and \u2062the anti-Trump resistance to discredit Trump and prevent similar insurgencies. Their goal \u200bwas to \u200cmaintain their \u200dgrip on \u200cpower. \u200dThey\u200c shared cultural assumptions and a\u200c common enemy, which fueled their actions.<\/p>\n<p>The counter-disinformation movement, led by \u2062the \u2063Global Engagement \u200dCenter in the State Department, labeled itself a &#8220;whole of society effort.&#8221; Meanwhile, intelligence \u200cagencies like the FBI\u200d and CIA \u200cexploited \u2064the Russiagate hoax to expand \u2064their undemocratic powers.<\/p>\n<p>The media, universities, and nonprofits played \u2062a crucial role in this operation. They favored Hillary \u2062Clinton\u2062 and demonized Donald Trump, swayed by the influx of \u200cmoney into the\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-disinformation-hoax-and-the-betrayal-of-the-american-voter\/\" title=\"The 'Disinformation' Hoax: Betraying American Voters.\">emerging counter-disinformation complex<\/a>. Nonprofits and \u200duniversities defined disinformation, providing expert analysis that the media then propagated.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>You argue that this\u2063 is a counterinsurgency \u2064operation against any deviation from the consensus. How\u200b disturbing\u2062 is this?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob \u200dSiegel:<\/h3>\n<p>It is deeply unsettling that defenders \u2063of democracy can\u200b be so\u2064 hostile to the will of voters that they undermine the legitimacy \u200cof a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/niger-heads-to-polls-in-search-of-first-democratic-transition\/\" title=\"Niger heads to polls in search of first democratic transition\">democratically elected president<\/a>. \u200cThis information war is both\u200b a crime and a disguise. \u2063By controlling language and determining what is true or disinformation, they manipulate the meaning of words like \u200ddemocracy to suit their own agenda.<\/p>\n<p><em>This interview has been edited for clarity\u200c and brevity.<\/em><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How has the \u2062rise of disinformation impacted public discourse?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  St, I focused on national \u200dsecurity,\u2064 intelligence, and disinformation. Over time,\u200c I\u200c saw \u200bhow disinformation was being used by \u2063those in power to shape narratives and control public opinion. This motivated me to write my book and shed light on \u2062the dangerous rise of disinformation.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>How has the rise of disinformation impacted public discourse?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>Disinformation has had a\u2064 detrimental effect on public discourse. It \u200bhas created an environment where trust and \u200btruth are constantly questioned. People are \u2062bombarded with conflicting narratives, making it difficult to discern fact from fiction.\u2064 This has led to a polarized society,\u2063 where people are divided based on their beliefs and ideologies.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, disinformation has eroded the credibility of traditional\u2063 media outlets. As false information spreads through social media and alternative news sources, people are less inclined to trust mainstream news. This undermines the role of journalism in holding those in\u2062 power accountable \u2063and ensuring an informed\u200c citizenry.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>How can we combat \u2064the dangerous rise of disinformation?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob \u2062Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>Combatting disinformation requires a\u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-orders-l-a-to-offer-housing-to-homeless-population-on-skid-row-says-city-and-county-created-a-legacy-of-entrenched-structural-racism\/\" title=\"Judge Orders L.A. To Offer Housing To Homeless Population On Skid Row, Says City And County \u2018Created A Legacy Of Entrenched Structural Racism\u2019\">multi-faceted approach<\/a>. Firstly, we need to invest in media literacy education. Teaching people how to critically evaluate information and identify \u2064disinformation tactics is essential in today&#8217;s digital age.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, social media platforms and \u2063tech companies should take\u200d responsibility for\u200d the content they promote. Implementing stricter policies against disinformation and promoting verified, trustworthy sources can help\u2063 curb the spread of false information.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, individuals must actively \u200bseek out diverse perspectives and engage in civil \u2062discourse. \u2062By exposing ourselves\u200d to differing opinions and engaging in respectful debates, we can foster an environment where \u2064disinformation is less likely to thrive.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>What can the average person do to protect\u2062 themselves from falling victim to disinformation?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob\u2062 Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>There are several steps individuals can take to protect themselves from disinformation. Firstly, verify \u200cinformation \u200dthrough multiple reliable sources before accepting it as true. \u200cFact-checking sites and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/absurd-cockamamie-complete-crap-analysts-destroy-claim-that-biden-gets-worse-media-treatment-than-trump\/\" title=\"\u2018Absurd,\u2019 \u2018Cockamamie,\u2019 \u2018Complete Crap\u2019: Analysts Destroy Claim That Biden Gets Worse Media Treatment Than Trump\">reputable news outlets<\/a> can help validate or debunk claims.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, be\u200c cautious \u2063of information shared on\u2064 social media. False narratives\u200b often spread rapidly through these platforms. Take the time to investigate \u200bthe source and fact-check\u2063 before sharing or\u2064 believing the information.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, engage in\u2063 critical\u2062 thinking. Consider the motivations behind the information being presented and evaluate if it aligns with credible evidence.<\/p>\n<h3>Jan Jekielek:<\/h3>\n<p>In conclusion, what\u200c do you hope readers take\u2062 away from your book and these discussions?<\/p>\n<h3>Jacob Siegel:<\/h3>\n<p>I hope readers understand the pervasive nature of disinformation and its impact on \u200bour society. Disinformation is not just a political tool; it is\u200c a threat to our democracy, our freedoms, and our ability to engage in meaningful public discourse.<\/p>\n<p>By recognizing the tactics used to spread disinformation, we can become more\u2062 informed citizens and actively work towards a\u2063 more truthful and transparent society.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, it is\u2064 our responsibility to protect our\u200b First Amendment rights\u2064 and ensure \u2064that disinformation does not undermine the\u200d foundations of our democracy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In American Thought Leaders, Jan Jekielek discusses with Jacob Siegel how &#8220;disinformation&#8221; has become a deceptive tool, used by technocratic officials to wage a counterinsurgency-style war on truth. This damaging approach has greatly affected public discourse. Siegel, a senior editor at Tablet Magazine and author of &#8220;A Guide to Understanding the Hoax,&#8221; shares his insights in two recent episodes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2349,"featured_media":2052323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2052322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2052322"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052322\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2052323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2052322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2052322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2052322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}