How can we depolarise a very polarised debate while safeguarding the diversity of opinions?
The Narratives Observatory combatting Disinformation in Europe Systemically (NODES) presented its key findings in a comprehensive workshop exploring the complex and often polarised narratives surrounding climate, COVID-19, and migration. The NODES Project analyses the dominant narratives around these multifaceted and highly polarised issues, and the deep values in which are rooted, to foster a more resilient and informed society by building narrative bridges and promoting a more constructive dialogue.
By understanding and analysing how these narratives are formed and spread, the NODES project aims to identify ways to counter disinformation and create more cohesive public discussions. This analysis combines quantitative and qualitative data from various sources, including blogs, mainstream media articles, and social media posts, across multiple countries such as Poland, Spain, France, Ireland, and the UK.
Professor Marcin Napiórkowski, from the University of Warsaw, presented the key findings of a research project led by Professor Andrzej Nowak, Chief Narrative Scientist at Reimagine Europa. Professor Napiórkowski emphasised the collaborative nature of the project and the importance of addressing polarisation in the public discourse, since debates often become focused on the narratives of opposing groups, rather than on core issues. For instance, looking at discussions around climate change, the focus frequently shifts to the conflict between climate activists and sceptics, overshadowing the real problems and worries of citizens from the different communities, and preventing the search for real solutions to climate issues. “The first issue we need to address is polarisation because it makes us trapped in a stalemate. It makes us more prone to disinformation. It makes dialogue impossible,” Professor Napiórkowski explained.
When it comes to exploring the influence of group dynamics on perception, Professor Napiórkowski referenced a social experiment where individuals conformed to group pressure, even when it contradicted their own senses. “Conformance bias was so strong that it even affected the way they see the perceived reality,” he noted. This observation highlights the pressure individuals face to fit in their group, especially when they share a strong sense of identity. “When we create a sense of ‘we,’ the more prone we are to agree. And we start to be very offended by any opinion that disagrees with the general opinion of the group,” Professor Napiórkowskiadded. Confirmation bias, an integrated part of narrative communities, leads to individuals seeking out information that reinforces their existing beliefs and rejecting outside information as a threat to their identity.
While polarisation is a significant challenge, Professor Napiórkowski clarified that we should not aim for uniformity. Diversity of thought is crucial for a healthy and resilient democracy; this is why NODES promotes the importance of different voices in public discourse. “We need a consensus based on different values, not on shaping everyone into one mould. So, presenting a spectrum of narratives may be a nice first step to the radicalised debate,” Professor Napiórkowski suggested.
The research also examined how existing narrative structures can be recycled to shift public perception on a new topic. Professor Napiórkowski discussed the changes in the different debates on migration. When analysing a well-known case of Russian disinformation, it became clear that “the main factor of Russian disinformation was not to create some new stories about Ukrainian migrants. It was just to take the existing narratives that were already there describing Middle East migrants and to copy them and stick them to Ukrainian migrants”, he stated. This tactic aimed to align perceptions of Ukrainians with previously negative narratives about Middle Eastern migrants. “This is how this kind of narrative gaps become dangerous places where we become vulnerable also for disinformation and propaganda,” Professor Napiórkowski warns.
The NODES project also highlighted the critical role media plays in shaping public narratives. The work of Professor David Chavalarias, research director at CNRS, on social media platforms, demonstrates how disinformation spreads. The findings of the project show that accounts initially popular for spreading anti-vaccination messages during the COVID-19 pandemic later transitioned to promoting climate scepticism, often using similar imagery and tactics. “Covid pandemics became a gateway for climate scepticism on Twitter. Accounts that became very popular by negating the virus and spreading anti-vaccination messages later switched to anti-climate messages using similar images and tactics,” Professor Napiórkowski elaborated.
Considering the need to find a common ground in public discourse, the NODES project’s efforts provide valuable tools for navigating and reducing the effects of polarisation, ultimately contributing to a more informed and cohesive society. By identifying potential bridges across polarised viewpoints, we can foster meaningful dialogue and effective problem-solving. “The only effective way of convincing people that now represent disinformation, anti-scientific views, is to create this kind of bridges to enable them to be convinced and to reduce the polarisation between two groups. Even if we feel that we are right, and they are wrong. Especially if we feel so,” Professor Napiórkowski explained.
In conclusion, the work of NODES researchers shows us the importance of bridging polarised narratives and promoting constructive dialogues to address present or future critical issues like climate change, COVID-19, and migration. By understanding how these narratives are constructed and polarised, Professor Napiórkowski invites us to foster more resilient and informed public discourse to depolarise.
