Sweden's Advice On Identifying "False Information" If "Crisis Or War Comes" Is Important For All Of Us!
In contrast to our media a Swedish document explains the value of truth and how to spot false information. It stands in stark comparison to the fear mongering associated with the dreaded "fake news" that is touted in the media.
We are told to believe the media when it tells us what is fake and what is not fake. Sweden by comparison takes a more level headed approach with the advice it gives its population. This advice does not reek of manipulation and fear mongering.
The Swedish Model
Sweden has a historical reputation for being both rational and fair. My many amazing Swedish friends are testament to this. Sweden's hosting of the piratebay is another good example although we can see that Sweden's perspective has lead the US government to begin a big push to manipulate the Swedish process. This is obvious when we look into the piratebay issue, Julian Assange and homeschooling in Sweden.
At least many of the Swedish people are aware of this fight.
A document I recently found online called Important Information For The Population Of Sweden If Crisis Or War Comes makes for very interesting reading.
The part that is pertinent for this post is the directives for spotting and combatting false information. This to me is a much more relevant than the term "false news"!
Let us have a look at what Sweden is saying...
The Following Is Taken Directly From Sweden's Information Brochure:
Be on the lookout for false information
Sates and organizations are already using misleading information in order to try and influence our values and how we act. The aim may be to reduce our resilience and willingness to defend ourselves.
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?
Search for information
- The best way to counteract propaganda and false information is to have done your homework.
- Do not believe in rumors - use more than one reliable source in order to see whether the information is correct.
- Do not spread rumors - if the information does not appear trustworthy do not pass it on.
How Can We Use This Wise Advice In Our Own Lives?
Many of us here on Steemit understand that we are under attack through our media and education systems. The gaping hole in our consciousness regarding how money is created and distributed in our societies says it all.
This topic affects all of us yet it is never discussed in the mainstream media, at school or in universities. If only a quarter of our population knew the truth about this subject we would change our situation overnight and move into a new era of peace and prosperity.
There is a battle going on right now for our thoughts: Use facebook, get a mortgage, have more vaccinations, eat rubbish so you become ill, be terrified of terrorists and follow sport is the set menu we are being continuously sold. In the face of this onslaught of lies Sweden's advice to us is very valuable.
Instead of behaving like we are told it is better if we:
- Do our own homework so we can decide for ourselves!
- Ask the hard questions like why was this information released to the public and by whom!
- Think rationally for ourselves without fear based panic!
Why don't we have sensible information like this coming from the US, GB and Australian governments. The answer seems clear to me - they don't want us to think rationally.
I think we all need a little more Swedish rationalism in our Western countries!
No country is perfect but I say this with a smile on my face: Bravo Sweden! 😀
Jockey votes 4: @teamsteem, @ausbitbank
& loves @canadian-coconut, @chron, @mammasitta, @samstonehill, @sift666, @v4vapid
I'll resteem this post seems useful. It reminds of Socrates the philosopher theory
For me, if a source, organization, politician, or individual has been proven to be untrustworthy more than once, then they can't be trusted with anything they say in the future. Why people continue to believe news sources after they have been repeatedly reporting false or misleading information really baffles my mind.
I had to read this article a couple of times before realising it wasn't satire. The mainstream media in Sweden is even worse than here in Australia. They lean way to the left with many journalists & editors coming from old established political parties like Anders Lindberg, or they are ideologically indoctrinated through propaganda institutions often called universities.
The brochure warning ''Be on the lookout for false information'' is a tool used against the independent or alt media as many have been singled out and targeted with hate campaigns by the mainstream. Exposing the fake news media machine in Sweden has become a dangerous task. There is a lot of information available from very reliable sources for anyone that's prepare to look.
The very little mainstream media i inflict on myself is reasonably balanced between left & right, this would not be possible in Sweden.