Synopsis

The Workshop on Distortions, Rumours, Untruths, Misinformation, and Smears (DRUMS) will be held from 24 to 25 July 2017 in Singapore. This intensive two-day workshop aims to provide a deep dive into the different dimensions of DRUMS, which includes the phenomena called ‘fake news’, and aims to provide a holistic understanding of the problem. Perspectives will include views from the fields of anthropology, defence, journalism, political science, psychology, education, and public diplomacy.

Leading experts (made up of a combination of local and international speakers) from academia, international organisations, and governments around the world have been invited to share their thoughts and experiences to address DRUMS. The topics covered at the workshop are:

1. Why People Believe DRUMS – how biases can affect what people believe; the allure of conspiracy; and, whether fake news is a subset of freedom of speech or a danger to democracy.
2. State Actors and DRUMS – how fake news is a form of social control; how democratic states combat influence operations; and, how fake news has precipitated the crisis in the Middle East.
3. Media and DRUMS – how education can play a part in teaching individuals to separate fact from fiction; and, how media can be the new gatekeepers of truth.
4. Technology and DRUMS –how states use information actions in cyberspace; building resilience in defence planning; and, computational propaganda.
5. Hybrid Warfare – how NATO deals with fake news and subversion; case study on psy-ops; and potential responses to hybrid warfare.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Nicolas Arpagian, Scientific Director of the Cyber Security Program, National Institute for Security & Judicial Studies (INHESJ – French Prime Minister’s Office)
• Janis Berzins, Director, Centre for Security and Strategic Research, National Defense Academy of Latvia, Latvia
• Gillian Bolsover, Researcher, Oxford Internet Institute
• Robert Brotherton, Term Assistant Professor, Barnard College, Columbia University, and, Visiting Fellow, Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London
• Per Brekke, Deputy Director, Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB)
• Fu King Wah, Associate Professor at the Journalism and Media Studies Centre (JMSC), The University of Hong Kong
• Daniel Fessler, Professor of Biological Anthropology, UCLA
• Jakub Janda, Head, Kremlin Watch Programme; Deputy Director for Public Policy, European values Think-Tank, Czech Republic
• Daniel Kimmage, Head, Global Engagement Centre, US State Department
• Kevin Limonier, Associate Professor at French Institute of Geopolitics (University of Paris 8), Scientific Director of the Russian-Speaking Infosphere Observatory, French Ministry of Defense
• Barbora Maronkova, Programme Manager, Public Diplomacy Division, NATO HQ
• Andrew Radin, Associate Political Scientist, RAND Corporation

Who Should Attend

Policy-makers, academics, and other experts who are primarily concerned about DRUMS being a national security threat, are interested in the social implications of the proliferation of DRUMS, and are interested in how society and states can deal with DRUMS.

For more information visit: https://www.rsis.edu.sg/research/cens/

Contact us at: [email protected]