Rangers and Activists Use of Social Media Warfare Tactics
Although rangers and activists use the wide variety of social media warfare tactics that other digital warriors use, they have a unique approach and perspective to how they deploy these tactics. Exposure or the release of damaging information about corrupt corporations, governments, and individuals is one of a ranger’s most important tactics. While activists rely heavily on influence as a tactic—working to convince potential contributors, supporters, and policy makers of the validity and legitimacy of fighting corrupt corporations, governments, and individuals—they also heavily rely on recruitment and indoctrination tactics to recruit people into supporting the fight against corrupt corporations, governments, and individuals. The variety of tactics and their tailored use by rangers and activists are shown in Table 8.1.
Most rangers and activists strongly believe in their work and use that belief to justify their use of tactics that seek social justice and expose corruption. Rangers are fearless and take considerable risks in support of their missions. Activists are persistent in their efforts and are willing to take on corporations, governments, and very powerful individuals. Social activists, unlike eco-terrorists and hate mongers, do not intend harm. They participate in social discourse and debate, lobby elected officials, and use the court system to effect change.
Both rangers and activists have a wide base of grassroots support and use that support to raise funds for their efforts. They are heroes to many people and foes to corrupt governments, corporations, and the powerful individuals they challenge. As discussed in earlier chapters, there are many countries that try to suppress activists and quash the freedom of press and freedom of speech, which rangers and activists almost universally fight against. Social media warfare has become an essential weapon for both rangers and activists.
Mercenaries and Activists of Social Media Warfare ? 153
Table 8.1 Ranger and Activist Use of Social Media Warfare Tactics
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Blended threats: Joint social media warfare activities between activist groups using a variety of tactics |
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Divisiveness: Working to prevent corrupt corporations and governments from working in conjunction with each other to oppress or exploit people |
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Exposure: Release of damaging information about corrupt corporations, governments, and individuals |
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Influence: Convincing potential contributors, supporters, and policy makers of the validity and legitimacy of corrupt corporations, governments, and individuals. |
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Nullify opponents: Efforts to discredit opponents |
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Persuasion of non-aligned entities: Efforts to convince undecided contributors, supporters, and policy makers of the validity and legitimacy corrupt corporations, governments, and individuals |
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Recruitment and indoctrination: Drawing people into supporting the fight against corrupt corporations, governments, and individuals |
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Reinforcing alliance partners: Showing support for organizations that fight against corruption, oppression, and so on |
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Relationship building: Establishing cooperative efforts with like-minded organizations that fight against corruption, oppression, and so on |
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Trolling: Posting opposing or critical messages to existing social media posts, done by oppressive and corrupt governments, corporations, and individuals |
