A Story for and Not Against: Effects and Limitations of Narrativity in Propaganda Videos and Counternarratives

• In Event: DGPuk Panel- Illuminating the Abyss of Social Media: Perception, Effects, and Countering of Hate Speech and Extremist Propaganda in the Digital Age

Abstract

Right-wing and Islamist extremists frequently use YouTube videos to propagate their ideologies and to gain new followers. So called “counter-narratives”, videos that challenge extremists’ ideologies or transmit democratic values are proposed to serve as ‘antidote’ to extremist propaganda online. However, experimental studies on the effects of propaganda and counter-narratives are seldom. Drawing upon a narrative persuasion framework, we present two experiments in which we confronted recipients (N = 493) with moderate attitudes with propaganda and counter-narratives. Our results confirm narrativity (a) to increase appeal of and identification with both propaganda and counter-narratives; (b) to foster behavioral intentions regarding these videos; and (c) to increase the attraction towards extremist groups as well as counter-activists. However, (d) counter-messages had no direct effect on responses towards propaganda. We discuss the results regarding a broadened conceptualization of videos against extremism as beneficial beyond assigning them a mere “countering” role.

Authors

• Lena Frischlich, U of Muenster

• Diana Rieger, University of Mannheim

• Anna Morten, U of Cologne

• Josephine Schmitt, U of Cologne

• Ronja Schötz, U of Cologne

• Olivia Cornelia Rutkowski, U of Cologne

• Gary Bente, U of Cologne