Psychological Warfare

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• Pakistan is indulging in psychological warfare with the spread of misinformation across social media platforms aimed at misrepresenting India’s military actions and preparedness.
  • And, the PIB fact-check unit reviewed widely circulated fake videos and claims, allegedly originating from Pakistani social media handles.

Psychological Warfare

• Psychological warfare involves the planned use of propaganda and other psychological operations to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of opposition groups.
• Propaganda: Spreading biased or misleading information to shape public opinion or sow confusion.
  • Often used to glorify one side and demonize the enemy.
• Fear and Intimidation: Threats, displays of overwhelming force, or rumors to instill fear and undermine morale.
• Misinformation and Deception: Providing false information to mislead opponents about intentions, strength, or location.
• Disruption of Decision-Making: Psychological operations (PSYOPs) that confuse leadership or disrupt the chain of command.

Tactics and Tools

• Leaflets and Broadcasts: Used to spread propaganda in enemy territory.
• Cyber PSYOPs: Social media manipulation, fake news, or hacking to cause panic or division.
• Rumors and Whispers: Undermining trust through subtle, hard-to-trace disinformation.
• False Flag Operations: Conducting actions meant to appear as though they were carried out by another group.

Historical Examples

• World War II: The Allies dropped leaflets over Germany to lower troop morale.
• Cold War: The U.S. and USSR used extensive propaganda campaigns to influence global perception.

Modern Applications Beyond the Battlefield

• Business: Aggressive marketing or corporate misinformation to undermine competitors.
• Politics: Discrediting opponents, manipulation of public opinion through media.
• Interpersonal: Gaslighting or emotional manipulation in toxic relationships.

Way Ahead

• The Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking team, PIB Fact Check, has stepped in to identify and verify misleading content being circulated across social and mainstream platforms.
• The government has advised the public to rely only on official notices, helpline numbers, and confirmed relief updates. 
• People have also been asked not to forward unverified posts as false claims continue to flood social media.

Source: BS