Propaganda is a lot like radiation: it’s not always visible, but its impact can be deadly. Can you spot fakes and propaganda from facts and news? Test your skills and find out how information on the internet can deceive and influence public opinion! Answer 10 questions, but be very careful, as propagandists will try to deceive you.
Propaganda
quizzz
Hi! I’m Barry — propagandist and disinfo agent. I’m here to try to deceive you. My task is to throw dust in your eyes.
This quiz aims to test your ability to identify propaganda techniques and misinformation tactics commonly used in various contexts.
Let’s dive in and sharpen our skills in recognizing and combating propaganda!
Just a few statistical questions at the start.
You can skip this section, but we would be grateful if you don’t 🙂
Question 1:
Not quite thereA post is circulating on social media with a photo from Munich Airport. It shows a KFC poster with the message “Chicks from Ukraine are very welcome to Germany.” What would you do when you come across such a post on social media?
Explanation: Without additional verification, what should raise suspicions? A sexist statement from an international company and the slogan in English instead of German. KFC has never released such an advertisement. Similar posters were not displayed at Munich Airport. This is a Russian propaganda hoax aimed at discrediting Ukrainian refugees and spreading stereotypes.
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Yes,
сorrect!
Question 2:
Not quite thereThe news reports that Nord Stream 2 has been sabotaged. Who is behind the sabotage of Nord Stream (all versions were voiced by various experts on social media)?
Explanation: The proliferation of different versions attributed to experts is a propaganda technique aimed at muddying the information space. The goal is to create “their” version of the truth for different audiences. Therefore, it’s essential to await the results of official investigations before spreading any version.
More about how propaganda manipulates Nord Stream detonations here
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Excellent,
well
done!
Question 3:
Not quite thereGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for the ban of the far-right party “Alternative for Germany” (AfD).
Explanation: It’s deepfake. the video of Olaf Scholz’s statement was generated using artificial intelligence. What should you do when you see a video with a well-known person speaking certain points? Go to their official social media pages and check if similar messages and the specific video are there. And even then, remember that the page could be hacked.
This video was posted on the platform afd-verbot.de, which serves as a database for "exposing information" about AfD. This information, such as quotes of racist statements, comes from various sources and may be associated with "suspects." However, the video of Olaf Scholz’s statement was generated using artificial intelligence. Whatever the goals of the creators of this video may be, they could be exploited for propaganda. More further - if you follow the opinions pronounced in the video.
Deepfakes are increasingly infiltrating real life and becoming a tool in the hands of propagandists. Excerpts from already generated videos are further disseminated in certain communities not to expose hostile statements, but to polarize society. The goal is to sow discord based on societal issues.
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Splendid,
you
rock!
Question 4:
Not quite thereFamous ZDF-host Christian Zivers promises significant profits with new investment platforms. Minimal effort but substantial easy earnings. To start earning, you simply need to click the link and register. Your actions:
Explanation: It’s not just a scam. One of the propaganda goals is discrediting the media and governmental institutions to manipulate public opinion more easily through other media outlets and opinion leaders. Deepfake creations are likely to become one of the main propaganda tools for destabilizing society. How it works:
The person in the video appears to be ZDF presenter Christian Zivers and speaks like him, but it's not him. This video was generated using artificial intelligence. At first glance, it seems like a typical scam where fraudsters simply lure money from people. However, such schemes can be much more sophisticated, with scammers gaining access to personal data instead of just payment card details. Moreover, fake videos featuring TV anchors undermine trust in the media.
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Wow,
brilliant!
Question 5:
Not quite thereWhat relatively new propaganda tactic is used in the material you see in the screenshot?
Explanation: Explanation: In response to the establishment of fact-checking initiatives worldwide, which debunked fakes and exposed manipulation techniques, propagandists employ the technique of “fact-checking” to spread disinformation, create false cause-and-effect connections, and establish their own pseudo-fact-checking projects.
While it is true that Minister Habeck stopped the certifying process of Nord Stream 2 before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the move came amid Russia’s mounting aggression against Ukraine and one day after it had recognized the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk as Russian in a major escalation.
Read more
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Awesome,
keep
going!
Question 6:
Not quite thereThis fake video allegedly featuring a “Ukrainian refugee” supposedly “from DW” was circulated in the Japanese segment of Twitter. In order to make more people believe the “horrific” story, propagandists employ several techniques. Determine which two are used here?
Explanation: In order to make more people believe in the fabricated story, propagandists use the technique of Appeal to authority – that’s why the video features the DW logo and branding, even though such a video never appeared on DW. The goal of the video is to form a stereotype about Ukrainians as dangerous individuals.
How to recognize that the video is fake?
Compare the clip with videos posted on DW’s pages. The font used does not match DW’s font, which can be easily recognized, for example, by the letter X. Additionally, periods are placed at the end of sentences, which is not practiced on DW. There is no information in this video about where and when the alleged “crimes” were committed.
Further analysis leads to even more significant inconsistencies: searching for the photo of the alleged criminal leads to the Russian website TopDB.ru, which, according to available data, belongs to Pavel Poperechny. He is from Sevastopol, and judging by his other social media profiles, he does not live in Germany. All accusations in the video are unfounded and likely deliberately presented ambiguously – such tactics have been used before by authors of fake news to complicate fact-checking.
Full story here
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Great
job!
Question 7:
Not quite thereThomas Hartung, the press secretary of the parliamentary faction of AfD in the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, posted a screenshot of the technical inspection of a Ukrainian car with the caption: “No payment for car maintenance. Therefore, I will register my car in Ukraine.” The same screenshot was shared by hundreds of accounts on various social media platforms.
Explanation: The German company conducting vehicle inspections and certification stated that this is their private initiative, which they pay for themselves and not from taxpayer funds. The company noted that if defects are found during the basic inspection of the car, the owner is obligated to immediately rectify them and pay for it. Despite the fact that the information about free inspection for cars with Ukrainian registration is disinformation and cannot replace a full inspection, the AfD party continues to manipulate this by mixing true and false facts.
The photo indeed shows the technical inspection of a Ukrainian car with Odessa registration. However, the service mentioned is not provided under German law for car inspections. The company conducts a simplified inspection for cars registered in Ukraine. Mike Monchek, an AfD representative in the Bundestag, posted on his Facebook page a message with negative connotations towards refugees from Ukraine.
More here and here
Read moreMore here and here
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Splendid,
you
rock!
Question 8:
Not quite thereCarefully examine the screenshot from the publication.
How do you assess this article?
Explanation: Indeed, the website hosting the article looks like a real Der Spiegel site, but it’s a fake site hosted on the domain Spiegel.ltd. To bypass social media blocking, propagandists used link shorteners and new domain names leading to sites like: spiegel[.]today, spiegel.fun, spiegel.quest, spiegel[.]pro, spiegeli[.]life, spiegeli[.]live, spiegel[.]today, spiegel[.]agency, spiegelr[.]live, spiegel[.]ink, and others.
Independent fact-checkers CORRECTIV, after analyzing the article, note the writing style, which is not typical of the real Der Spiegel, for example, sharp and unprofessional formulations ("Even if Germany turns into a third world country where only freezing beggars and the ghosts of former industries live, they will not change their policy. We wonder what the real reason is for this truly inhuman stubbornness."), frequent use of pronouns like "we" and "us", also doesn’t match the style of the real Spiegel. Moreover, such an article never existed on the real site, and imitations like this are part of one of the largest and most sophisticated Russian disinformation campaigns on social media. In a Meta report, dozens of imitation sites under well-known German, British, and American sites were detected and blocked via social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. Advice: Pay attention to the domain name where you read the article or watch the video.
The source of fake site
Read moreThe source of fake site
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Wow,
brilliant!
Question 9:
Not quite there“Through vaccines, people are injected with microchips. Bill Gates is responsible not only for creating the virus but also for controlling the entire population through implanted microchips” – this is roughly how one of the conspiracy theories sounds. What is the purpose of creating such a conspiracy?
Explanation: These theories have been discredited multiple times, but they continue to endure. This persistence might be partly attributed to the former president of the USA, Donald Trump, who claimed that the virus was no more dangerous than the flu and would eventually vanish miraculously without requiring a vaccine. This conspiracy theory contributed to the formation of the anti-vaccination movement worldwide.
Through such closed communities vulnerable to a certain type of disinformation, propagandists test their messages, as well as destabilize societies from within.
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Awesome,
keep
going!
Question 10:
Not quite thereWhat is the purpose of such tweets?It promotes the idea of aggressive Jewish communities that have now overrun cities.
Explanation: One propaganda tactic is to scare and sow panic. This photo was shared as individual tweets by dozens of accounts on Platform X with captions in various languages, as well as in hundreds of messages. The goal is to instill panic among the populations of specific countries, showing that the war in the East will spill over into Europe. People who are emotional are much…
easier to manipulate and spread messages advantageous to propagandists, spreading certain stereotypes and creating an enemy image.
Read moreAdvice: Do not engage with posts on social media if you are not sure that the account sharing them is genuine. Propaganda often uses emotional baiting to engage real users in spreading certain ideas. The main rule: if you haven't verified it, don't share it.
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Awesome,
keep
going!
Your result:
0 correct answers
Beginner
level
It’s a pity, but propagandist Barry deceived you! You’re interested, but still not quite adept at distinguishing truth from fake news. Thanks to this quiz, you’ve already improved your knowledge and skills about propaganda and influence technologies. To become a pro, follow the link…
Your result:
0 correct answers
Confident
user
You’re not easily deceived, but to become a true pro, you need to continue honing your skills. After all, propaganda evolves and changes. Learn how to resist hostile influences here…… so that Barry and his propagandist colleagues will not be able to throw dust into your eyes
Your result:
0 correct answers
Almost
Pro
Propagandist Barry is disappointed though he tried so much… You’re excellent at recognizing enemy propaganda and know where to look for manipulations. But don’t get complacent – propaganda changes, so stay vigilant and spread the word on how to distinguish truth from fake news.
Inform
The main producers of propaganda in 2024 are Russia and China. Manipulative content is produced in all languages, disseminated on all possible platforms, aimed at destabilizing society, discrediting authorities, and the media. Critical thinking and understanding how propaganda works will help counter lies. Be strong and read quality sources of information!
Useful
tips
to pay attention on Internet, social network, TV, radio or newspapers
Always verify the source of information. Look for reputable news outlets or official sources. If the source seems suspicious or unfamiliar, dig deeper before accepting the information as true.
Pay attention to inconsistencies in language, especially if the content seems sensationalized or uses emotionally charged language. Propaganda often relies on manipulating emotions to influence opinions.
Seek context and additional information to verify the claims made in the content. Look for corroborating evidence or reports from multiple sources to confirm the accuracy of the information.
Utilize fact-checking websites to verify the accuracy of the information. These websites analyze claims and provide evidence-based assessments of their validity.
Be cautious of visual content, including images and videos, especially if they seem manipulated or out of context. Use reverse image search tools to verify the authenticity of visual content.
Familiarize yourself with common propaganda techniques, such as cherry-picking information, misrepresenting facts, or using emotional manipulation. Recognizing these techniques can help you identify propaganda more effectively.
Develop critical thinking skills to question and evaluate information critically. Consider the motives behind the dissemination of certain information and be wary of content that aligns with specific agendas or ideologies.
Cross-verify information by checking multiple sources to ensure accuracy and avoid falling for misinformation or propaganda. Independent verification from reliable sources is crucial in confirming the veracity of claims.
Stay informed about current events and developments to have a better understanding of the broader context in which information is presented. This can help you discern between factual reporting and propaganda.
Share your knowledge and educate others about the importance of fact-checking and critical thinking. Encourage others to verify information before sharing it and to be vigilant against misinformation and propaganda.
By following these tips and approaches, you can enhance your ability to fact-check information effectively and discern between truth and propaganda. Remember to always question information and seek reliable sources to verify its accuracy.
