Webinar: The Nexus Between Disinformation, Radicalization, and Violent Extremism

In today’s digital landscape, disinformation has emerged as a powerful force capable of sowing social discord and fostering radicalization. This webinar aims to discuss this issue further and examine the growing challenges posed by disinformation campaigns and their potential to encourage different forms of radicalization or violent extremism. 

The session will also look at the individuals aged 45–65, a demographic that has experienced notable shifts in media consumption behaviors over the past decade. Many middle-aged adults now rely more heavily on social media platforms and online sources for information, but often lack tailored media literacy support. These factors make them especially susceptible to false or manipulative content designed to exploit existing biases and reinforce polarizing narratives.

Throughout the webinar, participants will explore how disinformation tactics, online conspiracy theories, can accelerate the process of radicalization, especially among those who may be grappling with feelings of isolation or economic uncertainty. Discussions will highlight how extremist groups leverage various digital communication channels—ranging from social media platforms to private messaging apps—to amplify their messaging and target vulnerable individuals. In doing so, such groups can erode social cohesion, deepen ideological divides, and foster environments ripe for violence.

To address these escalating risks, the webinar will also delve into practical countermeasures that can help mitigate the influence of disinformation. These include media literacy initiatives tailored to middle-aged audiences, community-based resilience programs, and policy interventions designed to curb the spread of manipulative content online. This session aims to equip attendees with ways how to recognize disinformation, challenge extremist narratives, and foster stronger, more informed communities.

Key discussion questions will address:

• How does disinformation impact the process of radicalization and violent extremism, particularly among middle-aged populations?

• What role do media platforms and digital communication channels play in spreading extremist narratives?

• Which approaches and interventions have proven most effective in countering disinformation and building resilience in vulnerable groups?
  

  To Register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/503ea55b-0523-4424-b09e-fc86cc500855@7cc3b929-624d-496f-9a0e-5024f090c7f2/registration