Information Warfare — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

Read whether the question establishes falsehood, intent or both. A sincere sharer of a false report fits misinformation under the usual distinction, even if the originator acted deliberately. Do not infer each participant's intent from the content alone. Genuine information can also be misleadingly contextualised.

Distinguish media authenticity from the accuracy of its caption. An old photograph can be real while its claimed current location is false. Repeated publication does not supply independent corroboration when every account copies one source. The original document's date and text are stronger verification targets than typography or follower count.

For statistics, calculate the stated denominator before interpreting a trend. Twenty of one thousand is two percent; thirty of three thousand is one percent. A higher count can coexist with a lower proportion, and neither establishes causation by itself. Finally, account security and content accuracy are separate: an uncompromised account can publish a misleading claim, while recovering access is different from issuing a factual correction.