R-35 Identifying False Information and Propaganda

Resistance 35

By Tim Gamble

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In 2018, Sweden distributed a "Be Prepared for War" booklet to all 4.8 million Swedish households, urging all Swedes to be prepared for war or other major crisis in the near future.

The 20-page booklet, entitled Om krisen eller kriget kommer (English: If Crisis or War Comes), explains how people can secure basic needs such as food, water, heat, and communications, explains what various warning signals mean, when and where to seek bomb shelters, and how to contribute to Sweden’s “total defense," among other topics. You can read my detailed review of the booklet by clicking here, as well as find links to downloadable versions of the booklet. 

What I want to look at in this article is the advice given for identifying false information and propaganda. 

Be on the lookout for false information. 

The Swedish booklet expresses concern over false information being spread, either through unfounded rumors or as part of intentional misinformation campaigns. It gives this advice: "The best protection against false information and hostile propaganda is to critically appraise the source:

• Is this factual information or opinion? 
• What is the aim of this information? 
• Who has put this out? 
• Is the source trustworthy? 
• Is this information available somewhere else?
• Is this information new or old and why is it out there at this precise moment?"

A big concern about misinformation is that it's "aim may be to reduce our resilience and willingness to defend ourselves." At one point in the booklet, it states: "If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false."

"Critically appraise the source." This is good advice not just for Swedes, but far all peoples. Never blindly trust anyone, even your own government. Never blindly trust anyone, even those you claim to be on your side. Always appraise the source, and ask those questions.

For more information, see:

• Worth Watching - A 1948 Film on Spotting Propaganda
• R-34 Spotting Federal Agents & Other Infiltrators

*** You can find Tim Gamble on social media! Follow at Gab (@TimGamble), Instagram (@DystopianSurv), Twitter (@TimGambleSpeaks), and TruthSocial (@TimGambleSpeaks) 

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