Publication

This report questions the utility of using counter-narratives to blunt the propaganda being produced by groups such as al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State (IS). As the text’s authors see it, 1) there is no evidence to suggest that counter-narratives are effective prophylactics against violence; 2) broad counter-narrative campaigns aren’t really necessary, given that the propaganda of terrorist groups attracts only a limited number of recruits; and 3) it’s difficult to construct effective counter-narrative campaigns when we know so little about what makes extremist propaganda work.