Turning the Tables: How Propaganda Backfires and Fuels Counter-Movements

20.05.2024

Propaganda doesn’t always achieve its intended effect. In some cases, it provides the targeted side with brilliant ideas to subvert the message and turn it to their advantage. Images are often employed to construct a completely false narrative that aligns with the propagandist’s agenda. Additionally, the use of similar names can confuse readers and aid in the dissemination of misinformation. Here are some interesting examples of such cases. Here are some examples from May 2024.

On May 1, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Trump/MAGA supporter and a vocal opponent of providing aid to U.S. allies, made a noteworthy statement following Speaker Mike Johnson’s announcement of the new aid package to Ukraine and Israel, which passed on April, 24. Greene, a congresswoman representing Georgia, has consistently expressed her disapproval of such foreign aid, aligning her stance with her broader political ideology and support base.

Marjorie Taylor Greene unwittingly did Ukraine supporters a great favor by revealing a “MUGA” hat—Make Ukraine Great Again—during a meltdown over U.S. aid to Ukraine. This unexpected outburst sparked a new trend, as major Ukrainian charities quickly adopted the idea and began selling MUGA hats. The hats, along with tees and sweatshirts, have become popular symbols of support. Many NAFO members and Ukraine supporters now proudly wear MUGA gear, showcasing their solidarity with Ukraine. Ironically, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s unintended promotion has significantly bolstered the Ukrainian cause, despite her strong opposition to it.

Two Georgias confused 

In English, the name “Georgia” refers to both the U.S. state and the country in Eastern Europe, and this similarity has been exploited by propagandists to confuse the public. An American media influencer and far-right political commentator, Jake Shields (678.8K followers on X) recently used footage of Georgian police deploying water cannons to disperse protesters, falsely presenting it as an example of U.S. police using excessive force against pro-Palestine protests at universities’ campuses. This deliberate manipulation leveraged the shared name to mislead viewers and stir controversy.

Luckily, X features a Readers’ Added Context feature that allows users to add or correct information presented in the original post. This tool was instrumental in quickly debunking the misinformation, as users pointed out that the footage actually showed police in the country of Georgia, not the U.S. state. This correction helped clarify the situation and prevent further confusion caused by the misleading post.

Hijacked protest picture

Recent protests in Georgia against the controversial “foreign agent” law have seen their images appropriated by various organizations to promote unrelated agendas. One prominent example is the American anti-war organization CODE PINK, which manipulated a protest image by adding watermelon earrings and altering the features of the depicted Georgian woman to resemble a Palestinian. Similarly to the post by Jake Shields, CODE PINK’s post received context notes from readers clarifying that the image has nothing to do with Palestine supporters.

CODE PINK, a feminist anti-war activist group, is well-known for its criticism of the United States’ decision to send arms to Ukraine following the Russian invasion and to Israel.

 

 

Four weeks ago, during the protests in Tbilisi, a striking photo was posted by Ana Minadze on her Instagram account. The image quickly gained attention and went viral on Twitter, resonating widely across social media platforms. Later, it was reposted by a Palestine supporter to promote his cause, demonstrating how the image was appropriated for different agendas.

After marrying tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham in 2017, CODE PINK co-founder Jodie Evans shifted from criticizing China’s authoritarianism to supporting it. By August 2023, The New York Times reported that 25% of CODE PINK’s funding came from groups connected to Singham, and Evans viewed China as a model for growth and a champion of the oppressed.

These examples illustrate the complex and often ironic nature of propaganda and misinformation in today’s digital age. Whether through unintended endorsements, deliberate name confusion, or the appropriation of protest imagery, the manipulation of narratives can have far-reaching consequences. However, tools like the Readers’ Added Context feature on social media platforms demonstrate the power of collective vigilance in correcting misinformation.

The screenshots are taken from the sources used in the article.