FAQs
This project was undertaken as part of my master's degree from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. It was a collaborative effort with my colleagues Kayla Escobar and Kathleen Murphy under the guidance of Dr. Lynne Weil.
Our goal was to examine investigate the and characteristics of Iranian state-sponsored disinformation campaigns on Twitter, particularly in the context of Venezuela. This study aims to enhance the understanding of how such campaigns operate, their content focus, and their impact, thereby assisting public diplomacy actors in identifying and countering these disinformation efforts
Methodology
The project employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative analysis of Twitter data, interviews with experts, and the development of analytical tools. The analysis focuses on archived Twitter data to examine the language, hashtags, tweet origins, and the timing of tweets. A significant portion of the research involved qualitative observations, identifying the primary languages of the tweets, the topics of focus, and any correspondence to key events in Venezuela and Latin America.
Key Findings
Focus of Iranian Disinformation Campaigns: The analysis indicates that most tweets from suspected Iranian accounts were not primarily focused on Latin American politics but were instead directed towards Middle Eastern regional issues, U.S. politics, and promoting Iranian foreign policy goals. This suggests that while Venezuela was a target, it may not have been the primary focus of these campaigns.
Operational Characteristics: Many accounts were initially set in languages other than Spanish (notably Farsi and English), with individual tweets tagged as Spanish. This pattern might imply a strategic pivot to Latin American audiences or the use of Spanish-speaking accounts for broader, less targeted disinformation efforts.
Data Analysis Challenges: Identifying targeted disinformation efforts was complicated by language tag mismatches and text encoding in data analysis tools.
Strategies and Impact: The project hypothesizes that Iran aims to exploit moments of vulnerability in Venezuela to further its interests. However, the data suggests a primary focus on Iranian-centric issues. The campaigns are suspected of employing a self-centered messaging strategy, focusing more on developing Venezuela and its citizens as allies rather than tailoring messages to the dominant narrative within Venezuela.
Policy Implications
The capstone project provides actionable insights for public diplomacy actors and policy-makers. It highlights the necessity of vigilant monitoring of social media platforms, the development of targeted counter-disinformation strategies, and the importance of supporting media literacy among the public to mitigate the impact of such campaigns.
The research underscores the complexity of countering state-sponsored disinformation in an era where digital communication blurs the lines between foreign publics. It suggests that while platforms like Twitter have taken steps to regulate content and increase transparency, more concerted efforts are needed from both social media companies and government entities to address the root sources of disinformation effectively.
Conclusion
This project contributes to the broader discourse on disinformation and public diplomacy, offering a nuanced understanding of Iranian disinformation campaigns on Twitter. By analyzing these campaigns' operational characteristics and impact, the research aids in crafting more informed and effective counter-disinformation strategies, crucial for maintaining the integrity of public discourse in the digital age.