 "The launch of Koo, an Indian alternative to Twitter, was a step in the right direction. However, the Indian government's failure to support such platforms has left the country vulnerable. Image Credit: Koo")
In today’s connected world, the fight for sovereignty is no longer waged on battlefields alone. It has moved to the digital realm, where the control of narratives can make or break nations. Social media has become the new weapon of regime change. The recent upheaval in Bangladesh serves as a stark reminder of the power of social media and the peril it poses to a nation’s sovereignty. What began as a student protest swiftly morphed into a violent regime change.
While the truth of the change of government will never be known, one fact is clear: fires can be easily ignited on social media, fanned by those who wield its power. The old adage “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” has evolved. Today, it is the entity that controls narratives that holds the reins of global influence, with the potential to overthrow regimes.
Narrative Control
In the past, the US Department of Defence and the CIA wielded significant influence over global narratives through Hollywood and shaped public perception. Hollywood had a subtle yet pervasive influence, ensuring that the US government version of events reached the masses, both domestically and internationally.
CIA’s Influence in Hollywood
It is well documented how the CIA had a Hollywood liaison office, taking control of over 2,000 movies and TV serials. The narratives crafted shaped global perceptions of US foreign policy, casting the nation as a benevolent force, often demonising adversaries such as Russia, China, and the Middle East.
Films such as Argo (2012) and Zero Dark Thirty (2012) are prime examples of how the US intelligence collaborated with filmmakers to present a narrative aligning with its interests. In Argo, the CIA’s role in rescuing American hostages in Iran is portrayed as a heroic and essential operation, while the complex geopolitical context is downplayed. Similarly, Zero Dark Thirty was criticised for depicting torture as a means of gathering intelligence, thereby justifying controversial practices under the guise of national security. Films like Top Gun (1986) and Black Hawk Down (2001) glorified US military interventions, reinforcing the image of America as the world’s defender of democracy.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSocial Media: The New Battlefield
Social media has taken the battle to an entirely new level. One can not only construct narratives, but it also serves as a two-way street.
Content Control and Censorship : Content that challenges dominant narratives is often censored or removed. Under the guise of “community guidelines,” inconvenient truths can be erased from the digital landscape. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have been criticised for their opaque moderation policies and suppression of dissenting voices.
Algorithmic Influence: American apps control the algorithms that determine what content is pushed, ensuring only the desired message reaches the masses. For instance, during critical geopolitical events, such as the Arab Spring or the Ukrainian conflict, social media platforms have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, often amplifying specific narratives while silencing others.
Surveillance Tool: Social media serves as a two-way street. While users consume content, the platforms collect vast amounts of data, offering a treasure trove of information that can be used to influence or destabilise nations. This data has significant implications for national security, as foreign entities can exploit this information to manipulate public opinion or sow discord.
The writing on the wall is crystal clear: If you control social media, you control the world.
China’s Strategic Approach
China recognised the dangers posed by foreign social media platforms early on and banned American social media apps that refused to comply with Chinese data and content regulations. China created its own digital ecosystem. Instead of relying on American platforms, China developed its own suite of apps that dominate the market and control narratives. This move not only safeguarded its sovereignty but also spurred the growth of its local tech industry.
China’s social media landscape caters to its massive population of over 1.4 billion people, creating content under the watchful eye of the Chinese government. WeChat is China’s Whats app, with over 1.3 billion active users. Weibo is often referred to as China’s Twitter, with over 570 million monthly active users, for sharing news, opinions, and trends. Douyin, known internationally as TikTok, has over 600 million daily active users in China alone, with tight controls on content. Baidu is Chinese Youtube, a popular and powerful platform for public discourse.
These platforms are not just substitutes for American apps. They are part of a well-orchestrated strategy to maintain control over online discourse while providing a secure and regulated environment for users. This self-sufficiency in the digital space has not only bolstered China’s sovereignty, ensured China’s narratives for its own public, but also positioned it as a formidable player in the global tech industry.
India’s Missed Opportunity
India, unfortunately, has not taken the same path. The launch of Koo, an Indian alternative to Twitter, was a step in the right direction. However, the Indian government’s failure to support such platforms for national security has left the country vulnerable.
India must draw lessons from both Bangladesh and China. If India is to protect its sovereignty, we must develop our own social media universe, related technology infrastructure, and digital ecosystem. We have to tell our own stories that align with our national interest, free from external manipulation.
In the digital age, the battle for sovereignty is not just about securing borders with armed forces. It is as much about our narratives and stories that define us. Whoever owns the social media narrative, owns the world. Managing social media is a security imperative.
The best time to act was twenty years ago; the next best time is now.
Anu Lall is the founder of YogaSmith and author of four books. She is a lawyer and has worked in the pharmaceutical and technology industry in Asia, the US, and Europe. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.