Today, in response to the terror attacks that took seventeen lives, the French government introduced an online platform to fight the Jihadist propaganda. They hope to protect family and friends of the youth who are at a greater risk of radicalization and the general public. When you visit the site you are greeted with a 2 minute video that uses the visual codes that were used by the cyber jihadists themselves (graphic images accompanied by an isis flag on a Facebook page). Then, a message written in french pops up convincing you to contact them for more information. The video exposes the falseness that the cyber recruiters use. Each point of the jihadists recruiters is highlighted by graphics of violence and suffering. Viewers are then directed to the homepage where they are informed about the terrorists threat how the government is responding, and how to invalidate the jihadists propaganda, and furthermore how the french people can all join together to fight the threat. This online platform also exposes 400 french people who are presently in iraq and syria that have been conditioned by the terrorists.
Social media and the Internet in general is a fairly new technology that the younger generation was born into and has the highest influence to them. I believe this form of anti-terrorism is one of the most effective because particularly the youth of France, that ISIS is trying to recruit, has never experienced war or any form of war, making them easy to manipulate and convince. However, because the government is to exposing what ISIS truly stands for and what they do, it will have a similar effect as the Vietnam war (living room war) when major parts of the war was broadcast across the U.S. To expose graphic videos and images will only create a larger resistance and awareness of ISIS's tactics.
In agreement to what [what] said, I believe, However, it may have a good effect on the awareness of families, who can then understand better what is going on. You can't bring up an old historic event that occurred over 40 years ago in comparison to technology today with today's 'smarter' youths.
To us as Americans' this seems harsh. But something we need to understand that "freedom of speech" here is MUCH different than "freedom of speech" elsewhere. The French government and its people can call out, name names, and do whatever they please BECAUSE of "free speech". I personally believe this is a beautiful use of free expression to counter-attack those who so openly and admittedly attacked that sacred right.
Well to spread information fast it would make sense to spread it through social media and television because that is what people are spending most of their time. But just as Michael said the graphic videos and images of ISIS will just make a larger resistance and being aware of ISIS's tactics.
This is a good way to show people the threat and danger of extremist groups like this, but sometimes it is not the best idea to give publicity to groups like this.
I do not think the french government could have done anything different to inform them. I believe this was a very effective and safe way to handle the situation at hand.
