indivisible is training an army of volunteers to neutralize political misinformation

Indivisible Launches "Truth Brigade" to Combat Misinformation

The Democratic organization Indivisible is initiating a new strategy to counter the spread of false information by establishing a dedicated team of fact-checkers. This initiative represents an exploration into effectively training a political messaging force and deploying them to address inaccuracies online.

A Volunteer-Based Approach

Dubbed the “Truth Brigade,” this group comprises volunteers who will receive instruction on effective methods for challenging prevalent misleading narratives originating from the right. They will collaborate with the organization on a biweekly schedule, aiming to disseminate progressive messaging that diminishes the impact of political misinformation and supports President Biden’s legislative priorities.

Given the persistent volume of misinformation, even following social media platforms’ efforts to remove harmful content after January 6th, the project faces a substantial undertaking.

Addressing Platform Responsibility

“This endeavor seeks to empower volunteers to fill a void created by the irresponsible actions of social media platforms,” explained Leah Greenberg, Indivisible’s co-founder and co-executive director, in a statement to TechCrunch. “It is deeply concerning that we are compelled to counteract issues that these platforms ultimately bear the responsibility to resolve.”

Origins and Growth of Indivisible

Indivisible was co-founded by Greenberg and her husband after the 2016 election. The organization’s origins lie in the widespread success of a handbook on Congressional activism authored by the pair and two former House staffers. This guide gained traction during the “resist” movement, encouraging Americans to oppose the policies of the then-President Trump.

From Pilot Program to National Initiative

The Truth Brigade project evolved from a pilot program in Colorado, led by senior organizer Jody Rein, who observed concerning trends within her state. Since its commencement last autumn, the program has expanded to include 2,500 volunteers across 45 states.

Focus on Key Legislation

The messaging will primarily focus on promoting Biden’s key legislative proposals, including the American Rescue Plan, the voting rights bill HR1, and the upcoming infrastructure package. Instead of directly debunking false claims, volunteers will share personalized messages supporting the legislation and countering misinformation within their existing social networks on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Leveraging Coordinated Messaging

Indivisible’s established networks will amplify these messages, employing tactics similar to those used by disinformation campaigns to increase visibility. While these posts are generated by volunteers and not paid advertisements, they may include hashtags linking back to the Truth Brigade campaign.

The "Truth Sandwich" Technique

Volunteers are trained to present progressive narratives using a “truth sandwich” approach, carefully avoiding the amplification of the misinformation they aim to address. A key aspect of the effort is teaching volunteers to avoid inadvertently increasing the reach of false information.

“Spreading disinformation actually aids those responsible for creating it,” Greenberg stated. “We are guiding individuals to respond not by engaging in unproductive conflict, but by promoting the narratives we want to see embraced.”

Lessons from Marjorie Taylor Greene

Greenberg points to the social media controversies surrounding Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as an example of the challenges Democrats will face in 2022. Greene is known for her support of QAnon, removal from committee assignments, and controversial comparisons, such as likening mask mandates to the Holocaust.

Greenberg contends that figures like Greene, who frequently provoke outrage with unsubstantiated claims, divert energy that could be better utilized in promoting progressive messages and resisting the impulse to simply react.

A Proactive Approach to Online Engagement

“Merely fact-checking and responding is insufficient, as it places us in a defensive posture,” Greenberg emphasized. “Our goal is to proactively disseminate positive messages that resonate with people and provide a defense against misinformation.”

A Long-Term Experiment in Grassroots Campaigning

For Indivisible, this project is a long-term experiment that could establish a new model for online grassroots political campaigning, moving beyond traditional targeted advertising to increase visibility in a crowded information landscape.