1. Use a range of different media

Use media with different political and geopolitical orientations and compare different views on a topic in order to form your own well-founded opinion.

SPR tip: On important topics, check the sources and original documents yourself.

2. End subscriptions to propagandistic media

Terminate subscriptions to predominantly propagandistic media. Instead, support independent and critical journalism within the scope of your possibilities.

SPR tip: Use the SPR Propaganda Key to detect manipulative media.

Bonus: In case of online paywalls, you can use the “Bypass Paywalls” addon.

3. Use advertising and tracking blockers

Use an advertising and tracking blocker on all devices and in all browsers. Only disable it on media sites that you want to support through displaying advertisements.

SPR tip: Do not use the Internet without an advertising and tracking blocker.

4. Use alternatives to Google search

The search results and search suggestions of Google are heavily manipulated. Therefore, use an independent alternative to the Google search engine on all devices (including mobile).

The Google-owned video platform YouTube and its search function are also heavily manipulated and censored. Therefore, check independent video platforms as well.

SPR tip: Every search engine is better than Google. Nowadays, professionals use Google only to monitor the current extent of online censorship and manipulation.

5. Use alternatives to Facebook and Twitter

Facebook and Twitter are heavily censored and manipulated on political and geopolitical issues. Here too, you can use or check independent social media platforms.

The notifications and “timelines” of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are also often heavily manipulated. Follow the desired authors and media directly via RSS instead.

SPR tip: You can also subscribe to Youtube channels via RSS (no Youtube login required).

6. Caution with Wikipedia

Wikipedia is heavily manipulated by political and commercial interest groups and should therefore not be used at all or only with great caution when researching controversial topics.

SPR tip: Check the sources, authors and discussion page of Wikipedia articles.

7. Use a privacy-friendly web browser

Avoid the common Google Chrome browser and instead use an independent browser that doesn’t track you when you use the Internet and online media.

SPR tip: Use a VPN service to protect yourself from censorship and monitoring.

Inform friends and family
Inform friends and family about the risks of manipulative media, search engines, social media platforms and web browsers and recommend independent alternatives.

Source: Swiss Policy Research