Chapter 1: The Codification of Disinformation and Extremism
TL;DR = The process of right-wing extremists weaponizing COVID disinformation to create law is a sophisticated operation that undermines democratic processes and public trust in science and factual information, and in turn, in institutions. This process is a clear demonstration of how the deliberate spread of falsehoods can have real-world consequences, not just in shaping public opinion but also in influencing policy and lawmaking.
The phenomenon of right-wing extremists weaponizing COVID disinformation to influence lawmaking is a representation of the Propaganda to Policy pipeline, which involves the strategic use of propaganda to influence perceptions of reality, amplified by a minority yet vocal group, the manipulation of media and public discourse, which ultimately allows them to impact policy decisions. This happens through 4 main steps:
- The Laundering of Propaganda: This step involves the creation and dissemination of false or misleading information that aligns with the ideological goals of the extremists. The term “laundering” is used metaphorically to describe how these groups make their propaganda appear legitimate or credible. This is often achieved by involving individuals with credentials (such as doctors or scientists), regardless of their actual expertise in the relevant fields, to give a veneer of…
