Project 12

📄 Description

As a part of this project, we were instructed to create a speech focusing on how network propaganda rapidly spreads on social media platforms. For this project I selected two recent real-life events, which are the July Quota Reform Movement and the COVID-19 pandemic. I researched a few algorithms in which propaganda is spread, such as repetitive or selective exposure, emotional appeal, and strategic framing, and how fake news can manipulate what people believe. Additionally, this project explored the difference between misinformation (accidental mistakes) and disinformation (purposeful lies) and presented this data to an audience of my peers using a manuscript delivery style.

🔍 Justification

The reason for choosing this topic is because in this digital era, social media holds a strong influence in our lives; being cautious about the information we consume is important. Through conducting a study on this topic, I realized that although the social media users are digitally fluent, they lack media literacy, which is why they get easily swayed by the network propaganda tactics. Furthermore, by focusing on the July movement, I was able to show how disinformation was used to try and delegitimize a student protest, and as this July movement raised questions on major issues like fairness and policy reformation, it rapidly involved a widespread audience; thus, constructing a speech that highlights the importance of critical thinking, responsible media use, and active civic participation was crucial.

📊 Key Outcomes

• This project taught me how to write a speech that doesn't just inform people but actually changes how they behave. With a study on audience analysis for constructing the speech, I realized that the topic of the July movement could relate more to university students. Most importantly, I learned how to be a more critical consumer of information myself and how to encourage others to fact-check before they hit "share."