Media literacy 101: Case Studies in Manipulation - Myanmar Genocide Facebooks Role

What This Is

The Myanmar Genocide & Facebook's Role is a case study of how social media platforms can be exploited to spread hate speech, misinformation, and propaganda, contributing to real-world violence and human rights abuses. In 2016, the Myanmar military launched a campaign of violence against Rohingya Muslims, which was amplified by Facebook's algorithms and spread through the platform's networks. This campaign resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more.

Key Theories & Models

• Propaganda Model (Herman & Chomsky): Five filters (ownership, funding, sourcing, flak, anti-communism/ideology) shape news into pro-establishment narratives – explains why some stories are systematically marginalised. In the case of Myanmar, Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies were influenced by the company's ownership and funding structures, which prioritised profit over human rights.
• Inoculation Theory (McGuire, Compton): Pre-exposing people to weakened versions of misinformation can build resistance – basis for pre-bunking games like “Bad News”. Facebook's failure to pre-bunk anti-Rohingya misinformation in Myanmar allowed it to spread unchecked, contributing to the violence.
• Agenda-Setting Theory (McCombs & Shaw): The media can influence what issues people think about and how they think about them – explains why some topics are prioritised over others. Facebook's algorithms prioritised anti-Rohingya content, setting the agenda for public discourse in Myanmar.
• Framing Theory (Goffman): The way information is presented can influence how people think about an issue – explains why some frames are more persuasive than others. Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies framed the Rohingya as a threat, contributing to the violence.
• Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner): People define themselves in relation to groups and will often favour their own group over others – explains why hate speech and misinformation can be so effective. Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies allowed anti-Rohingya hate speech to spread, contributing to the violence.
• Network Effects Theory: The value of a network increases as more people join it – explains why social media platforms can be so influential. Facebook's large user base and algorithms made it an ideal platform for spreading hate speech and misinformation in Myanmar.
• Diffusion of Innovations Theory (Rogers): New ideas and technologies spread through social networks – explains why misinformation can spread quickly online. Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies allowed anti-Rohingya misinformation to spread quickly in Myanmar.
• Cultivation Theory (Gerbner): The media can shape people's perceptions of reality – explains why some people may believe misinformation. Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies contributed to the cultivation of anti-Rohingya attitudes in Myanmar.
• Social Learning Theory (Bandura): People learn new behaviours by observing others – explains why hate speech and misinformation can be so effective. Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies allowed anti-Rohingya hate speech to spread, contributing to the violence.

Step-by-Step Application

1. Identify the issue: Recognise the potential for hate speech and misinformation to spread on social media platforms.
2. Analyze the platform: Understand how the platform's algorithms and moderation policies contribute to the spread of hate speech and misinformation.
3. Examine the content: Look for signs of hate speech, misinformation, and propaganda in the content being spread.
4. Evaluate the impact: Consider the potential impact of the hate speech and misinformation on real-world violence and human rights abuses.
5. Develop a solution: Suggest ways to address the issue, such as improving platform moderation policies, increasing transparency, and promoting media literacy.

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: Facebook is just a neutral platform that allows users to share information.
• Correction: Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies can influence what information is shared and how it is presented, contributing to the spread of hate speech and misinformation.
• Misconception: The Myanmar military's campaign of violence against Rohingya Muslims was a spontaneous event.
• Correction: The campaign was a well-planned and coordinated effort that was amplified by Facebook's algorithms and spread through the platform's networks.
• Misconception: Facebook's role in the Myanmar genocide was an isolated incident.
• Correction: Facebook's role in the Myanmar genocide is part of a larger pattern of the company's failure to address hate speech and misinformation on its platform.

Exam / Case Interview Tips

• Be specific: When discussing Facebook's role in the Myanmar genocide, be specific about the company's algorithms and moderation policies and how they contributed to the violence.
• Use theory: Use theories such as the Propaganda Model and Agenda-Setting Theory to explain how Facebook's actions contributed to the violence.
• Avoid oversimplification: Avoid oversimplifying the issue by blaming Facebook or the Myanmar military alone. Instead, consider the complex interplay of factors that contributed to the violence.
• Focus on impact: Focus on the impact of Facebook's actions on real-world violence and human rights abuses, rather than just discussing the company's policies or algorithms.

Quick Practice Scenario

A news outlet repeatedly pairs the word "crisis" with images of migrants. What framing technique is being used and what is its likely effect?

Answer: The framing technique being used is agenda-setting, which prioritises the issue of migrants as a crisis and influences public discourse. The likely effect is that people will think about migrants in a more negative light and be more likely to support policies that restrict their rights.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Propaganda Model: Five filters (ownership, funding, sourcing, flak, anti-communism/ideology) shape news into pro-establishment narratives.
• Inoculation Theory: Pre-exposing people to weakened versions of misinformation can build resistance.
• Agenda-Setting Theory: The media can influence what issues people think about and how they think about them.
• Framing Theory: The way information is presented can influence how people think about an issue.
• Social Identity Theory: People define themselves in relation to groups and will often favour their own group over others.
• Network Effects Theory: The value of a network increases as more people join it.
• Diffusion of Innovations Theory: New ideas and technologies spread through social networks.
• Cultivation Theory: The media can shape people's perceptions of reality.
• Social Learning Theory: People learn new behaviours by observing others.
• Facebook is not just a neutral platform: Facebook's algorithms and moderation policies can influence what information is shared and how it is presented.
• The Myanmar military's campaign of violence was not spontaneous: The campaign was a well-planned and coordinated effort that was amplified by Facebook's algorithms and spread through the platform's networks.