Combating Disinformation: Tips from CFA’s Investing in Our Future Guide
This blog has been adapted from CFA’s Investing in Our Future Guide.
What does disinformation have to do with the backlash against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives?
Despite lacking credibility and proving costly to investors, the anti-ESG narrative continues to gain momentum. This surge is not accidental; it is a calculated part of a broader strategy. These tactics often include supporting far-right lawmakers to advocate for restrictive bills and running aggressive disinformation campaigns. The primary goal of such campaigns is not to present credible arguments or win debates but to flood the public sphere with deceit, sowing confusion, and distrust.
The Goals of Disinformation
Dealers of disinformation operate with clear objectives, aiming to distort the truth and derail progress. Here’s a breakdown of their fundamental goals:
Distort: Fabricate false facts and weave them into new narratives to overshadow the real, evidence-based stories.
Distract: Spread false narratives or create false comparisons to unrelated, often inflammatory topics to pull attention away from factual information.
Dismiss: Foster distrust in credible entities or points, encouraging people to disregard accurate information.
Dismay: Overwhelm audiences with exhausting content or behaviors designed to scare or demoralize them into disengagement.
Avoiding Key Pitfalls: How to Protect Against Disinformation
Disinformation is inherently tricky and designed to exploit vulnerabilities. Even the most informed individuals can fall into its traps. Here are three common pitfalls to avoid, alongside actionable strategies to counter disinformation effectively:
Helping disinformation-dealers gain attention
Mistake: Sharing disinformation, whether on social media, in group chats, or through other platforms, inadvertently amplifies its reach.
Solution: Avoid engaging with or resharing language or content created by the disinformation dealers. Remember, their goal is to distort and distract, not to be right. Don’t do their PR for them.
Losing control of the narrative
Mistake: Reacting to their messaging and events keeps the conversation centered on their terms and words.
Solution: Take control by proactively setting the narrative. A strong offense is often the best defense against their tactics.
Getting derailed from your goals
Mistake: Allowing disinformation to wear you down or distract you from progress and engagement with your key audiences.
Solution: Stay focused on actions that advance your goals and resonate with your audience. Avoid falling into the rabbit holes designed to derail your efforts.
Disinformation is a challenge, but understanding its goals and pitfalls can help you effectively combat it and keep the focus on advancing sustainable and equitable solutions.
Learn More: Tips for Combating Anti-ESG Disinformation
For a deeper dive into strategies for countering disinformation, check out Part 4 of CFA’s Investing in Our Future Guide: Tips for Combating Disinformation.
