"Ghostbusters was released at the right time...at the height of the sci-fi blockbuster during the '80s."[2] Chock-full of ironic dialogue, with some now dated comedy and special effects, the movie refreshed tongue-in-cheek the age-old story of warrior saviors.
Updated (to four decades ago) this "group of miscast nerds, geeks, scientists and paranormal enthusiasts start their own business studying, hunting and 'busting' ghosts, goblins and ghouls."[3] The setting was New York City at a time when, along with many other cities, residents were beleaguered by crime, grime, and poverty–with subway cars, so covered by graffiti on the outside and inside, that these became go-to, must-sees for tourists. With a comedic twinkle, the movie has some hints useful for fighting the slime, grime, crime, and harm generated by autocrat-propagandists.
Defeating the lies, part-truths, rumors, faulty reasoning, abuse, and worse that self-proclaimed autocrats amplify is best done by each of us taking both individual and cooperative actions.
Organizations, nations, or individuals fighting disinformation and propaganda require competence and cooperative commitment to make strategic impact in everyday conversations, as well as through all information platforms and communication channels. Akin to the targeted reach of the Disinformation Summit planned at University of Cambridge in 2025, cooperative initiatives are needed that address strategically "social media, news media, financial and non-financial reporting, and other broadcast vehicles."[4]
Unsurprisingly, defeating a swill of disinformation requires ongoing actions that deploy better developed understandings and resources than paranormal science provided to the comedic ghostbusters.
Urgently needed for a serious task are more civic leaders, judges, lawyers, media anchors, pundits, journalists, media managers, teachers, researchers, librarians, students, parents, family, friends, neighbors, and any of us to get up to speed with how to pre-empt wannabe autocrats. Autocrat-propagandists aim to secure acquiescence, not belief, to create "conformists."[5] Dialogue that encourages a variety of viewpoints sharpens doubt about the formulaic comments of propagandists.[6]
But dispersed warnings and discussions about propaganda mechanisms, the supposed intent of the propagandist, or many fact-checking approaches–via however intelligent and penetrating commentary, or blistering advertisements, or hype, or endless micro-analyses of legal probes in the media–are no match for an ongoing onslaught of unfettered propaganda.[7]
Such dispersed discussions can be especially damaging in the form of media microanalyses that include repeatedly replaying audio or video of a propagandist. As highlighted in a recent blog post, this approach neglects the "truth effect" of repeating lies.[8] Perhaps the urge to microanalyze a propagandist is fueled by some naive belief that this will spark some magical ah-hah self-awareness in the uncommitted, or that it energizes rather than eventually draining or depressing anyone who already feels negatively toward some propagandist.
Others may offer that it shows the laziness of too many in the media who latch onto readily available photos, or video, or catchy quotes, in a vain effort to attract attention. As long ago as 2018 in the United States at least, the failure of the approach was publicly acknowledged.[9]
For Now
Certainly, unchecked propagandists work people over continuously to attack free thought and, by extension, freedoms of speech and association.[10] But it is early detection and pre-emptive actions that are critical to neutralize propaganda. Engaging many authoritative voices to debunk nonsense may sometimes be useful. But pre-bunking seems most potent to counter mis/disinformation.[11] Are we prepared to anticipate and head-off what grifter-autocrats will say or do?
Surely, any of us can help counter false information by joining active efforts or setting up our own initiatives to push ahead of nonsense talk–replacing the swill by redirecting the focus of public and private conversations to address everyday concerns–like personally meaningful specifics of healthcare, jobs, shelter, food, safety, freedom, and making bad actors accountable.
Can each of us find ways to
Join or start an action group addressing matters you care about–by putting pressure and expecting results from civic officials, elected representatives or candidates for election, and the media?
Grow networks of person-to-person communication–especially using emails and personalized social media?
Ignore verbal refuse designed to distract, deny, or delay?
Stop using or repeating a bad actor's name–will enough friends in the media ever stop repeating direct quotes in the lower thirds of the television screen, stop showing video clips repeating a bad actor's words or actions, and stop using photos that PR folks believe will make a bad actor look strong?
Reverse any serious lie right back onto the liar–using words much like a graffiti artist sprays a mustache on a propaganda poster? Mastering rhetorical questions is one approach [video here][12] and polemic has a long and honorable record in public communication, especially through artful parody and satire!
More Broadly
An equal priority is to massively expand education that enhances the ability of adults, youth, and children to assess public discourse–to discern, analyze, and synthesize reality.[13] Substantial expansions of media literacy, rhetorical, and civics education[14] are required in Western democracies. Even where the will exists, this takes time.
Meanwhile, can organizations and nations also execute well-developed plans to get ahead of and counter the efforts of propagandists, at scale?[15]
Illustrations of success and resources are now available. Some writings crystalize criteria for useful interventions. These are derived mainly from investigations of social media.[16] Some writings deal with the media and propaganda processes more broadly.[17] Further actionable understandings distilled from studies outside the laboratory/"in the wild" are needed,[18] along with cross-disciplinary studies and action research focused on actively building viable futures.[19]
It's up to organizations, nations, and each of us fighting disinformation to call on civic, legal, media, corporate, education, and other leaders to collaborate on strengthening practical initiatives that will address some big challenges, particularly
* Burgeoning computerized propaganda systems.[20]
* Government impotence regulating social media platforms–perhaps we can expect similar failures regulating anticipated hazards of Artificial Intelligence.
* Ever-increasing pressure in social media and mass media to help grow audiences by amplifying what is outrageous.
Propagandists continuously use the capabilities of computer networks, social media, and mass media powerfully against us.[21]
Into the Future
Some gargantuan goals for each of us, for organizations, and for nations are to evolve systematic, ongoing efforts that:
1. Engage autocrat-propagandists' "targets" and followers in productive decision-making to advance community initiatives.[22]
2. Educate everyone about detecting and calling out propaganda.
3. Codify remedies to the multiple deficiencies of norms and regulations–to protect the rule of law.
4. Educate everyone on ways to put civics to use.
As detailed throughout earlier blog posts, our better future requires us continuously to
* Challenge any propaganda targeting our pre-existing attitudes AND reassert our beliefs in honesty, justice, temperance, courage, and wisdom–and our desire to live in a society that seeks respect and wellbeing for all citizens.
* Highlight the harm to people by those using anti-democratic actions to deny health care, jobs, safety, community services, etc. AND, most importantly, say exactly what should happen instead.
* Reassert the rightness of facts, positively and specifically (without naming the lie or the liar, to avoid being a megaphone for the corrupt).
* Keep repeating what is right (propaganda decays over time, especially when crowded out of the public communication channels).
Yes, our future depends on us.
References
1. Ivan Reitman (Director/Producer) and Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis (Writers) (1984), "Ghostbusters: Crossing the Streams," from Ghostbusters [Movie], Columbia Pictures, https://youtu.be/9wrEEd1ajz4
2. Hannah Rose (2024), "RETRO REVIEW: Ghostbusters Busted Genres & Standards at the Right Place & Time," CBR, June 8, https://www.cbr.com/ghostbusters-1984-review/
3. Rose
4. Cambridge Disinformation Summit (2025), University of Cambridge, Judge Business School, "First-order objectives and deliverables: Identify and convene researchers, from across disciplines (e.g., journalism, social-psychology, sociology, anthropology, business, computer science, law, communications, theology, philosophy, political science, criminology, and authoritarian studies) who are engaged in this body of work; Develop shared networks for collaboration; Develop infrastructure to share research and research feedback across disciplines; Develop trust and share learning with policymakers, practice professionals, and data providers; Develop curriculum to enhance societal awareness of, and resilience to, disinformation campaigns; Develop infrastructure to protect research community members from threats, harassment, frivolous legal or freedom of information, or other attacks on academic freedom by those who exploit disinformation." Background at: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/2023/fighting-disinformation-needs-interdisciplinary-approach/; see also: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/events/cambridge-disinformation-summit-2025/
5. Nicholas O'Shaugnessy (2017), "Putin, Xi, and Hitler - Propaganda and the Paternity of Pseudo Democracy," Defence Strategic Communication: The Official Journal of the NATO Strategic Communication Center of Excellence, 2, Spring, p. 115-130, https://issuu.com/natostratcomcoe/docs/full_academic_journal_vol2_issuu_07
6. Jacques Ellul (1965), Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes, New York: Knopf, p. 300
7. Rodney G. Miller (2024), Get Ahead of Propagandists: Countering Disinformation, Albany, NY: Parula, p. 55
8. Word to the Wise blog (2024), Repetition at Work, August 31, https://communicator.rodney-miller.com/2024/08/repetition-at-work.html
9. David Brooks (2018), "Opinion: The Failures of Anti-Trumpism," The New York Times, April 10, p. 27
10. Miller, p. 13
11. Jon Roozenbeek, Eileen Culloty, and Jane Suiter (2022), “Countering Misinformation: Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, and Implications of Current Interventions,” European Psychologist, 28(3), pp.189-205, published online July 14, 2023, https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/full/10.1027/1016-9040/a000492
12. Luís Azevedo (Director) and Mark Forsyth (Writer) (2021), What Makes a Movie Line Memorable? Rhetorical Questions, Little White Lies - https://lwlies.com/ video at: https://youtu.be/UD3TaR5iPAo
13. Miller, p. 44
14. Hobbs, Renee (2020), Mind Over Media: Propaganda Education for a Digital Age, New York: W.W. Norton, also Media Education Lab, Harrington School of Communication and Media, University of Rhode Island, mediaeducationlab.com; Andreas Ventsel, Sten Hansson, Merit Rickberg, and Mari-Liis Madisson (2023), “Building Resilience against Hostile Information Influence Activities: How a New Media Literacy Learning Platform Was Developed for the Estonian Defense Forces,” Armed Forces and Society, April 18, pp. 1-21, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0095327X231163265?af=R&ai=1gvoi&mi=3ricys; David Fleming (2016), "Quintilian, Progymnasmata, and Rhetorical Education Today," Advances in the History of Rhetoric, 19, 2, pp. 124-141, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304069434_Quintilian_Progymnasmata_and_Rhetorical_Education_Today; Lorraine Higgins, Elenore Long, and Linda Flower (2006), “Community Literacy: A Rhetorical Model for Personal and Public Inquiry.” Community Literacy Journal, 1(1), pp. 8-43, https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/communityliteracy/vol1/iss1/2/; Brandon L. Kingdollar (2021), "Harvard Professors Allen, Kamensky Help Develop Roadmap for U.S. Civics Reform," The Harvard Crimson, March 5, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/3/5/harvard-professors-civics-reform/; see also: Educating for American Democracy (2021), Educating for American Democracy Project, https://www.educatingforamericandemocracy.org
15. Dmitri Teperik, Solvita Denisa-Liepniece, Dalia Bankauskaitė, and Kaarel Kullamaa (2022), Resilience Against Disinformation: A New Baltic Way to Follow? Estonia: International Centre for Defence and Security, https://icds.ee/en/resilience-against-disinformation-a-new-baltic-way-to-follow/ and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364474732_Resilience_Against_Disinformation_A_New_Baltic_Way_to_Follow; Jon Bateman and Dean Jackson (2024), Countering Disinformation Effectively: An Evidence-Based Policy Guide, Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, https://carnegieendowment.org/files/Carnegie_Countering_Disinformation_Effectively.pdf
16. Laura Courchesne, Julia Ilhardt, and Jacob N. Shapiro (2021), “Review of Social Science Research on the Impact of Countermeasures against Influence Operations,” Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review, September 13, https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/review-of-social-science-research-on-the-impact-of-countermeasures-against-influence-operations/; Li Qian Tay, Stephan Lewandowsky, Mark J. Hurlstone, Tim Kurz, and Ullrich K. H. Ecker (2023), "A Focus Shift in the Evaluation of Misinformation Interventions," Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review, 4(5), https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tay_focus_shift_interventions_20231005.pdf
17. Paul Baines, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, and Nancy Snow (Eds.) (2020), The Sage Handbook of Propaganda, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Nancy Snow, Garth S. Jowett, and Victoria O’Donnell (2024), 8th edn, Propaganda and Persuasion, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Jacques Ellul (1965), Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes, New York: Knopf
18. Roozenbeek, Culloty, and Suiter (2022), https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/full/10.1027/1016-9040/a000492; Miller, p. 42; Jon Roozenbeek, Miriam Remshard, and Yara Kyrychenko (2024), "Beyond the Headlines: On the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Misinformation Interventions," Advances.in/psychology, July 27, https://advances.in/psychology/10.56296/aip00019/
19. Kenneth J. Gergen (2023), "The Social Sciences as Future Forming," Possibility Studies & Society, 1(1-2), https://doi.org/10.1177/27538699231157624
20. Woolley, Samuel C. and Howard, Philip N. (2019), Computational Propaganda: Political Parties, Politicians and Political Manipulation on Social Media, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 243; Shaffer, Kris (2019), Data Versus Democracy: How Big Data Algorithms Shape Opinions and Alter the Course of History, New York: Apress/Springer Science + Business Media, pp. 114-115
21. Miller, p. 6
22. Miller, p. 26