Communication Toolkit for Disinfo Attacks
A tool that provides a communications strategy on how to respond when a CSO faces a coordinated disinformation attack.
The scenario
Once upon a time when a human rights organization published a sensitive report exposing wrongdoing, they had to immediately brace for an online backlash from powerful actors who wanted to discredit them.
Every day when a human rights organization published a sensitive report exposing wrongdoing, they had to immediately brace for an online backlash from powerful actors who wanted to discredit them.
One day… (what will you do to address the problems and challenges being faced?)
Because of that… (what changes will your solution bring?)
Until finally… human rights organizations no longer had to improvise their defense while under attack. When a crisis hit, their team could act calmly and strategically, and the attacks became useful evidence for their advocacy, increasing visibility and public support for their work while reducing the impact of malicious actors.
Keywords
crisis communication online backlash smear campaigns human rights advocacy resilience planning disinformation countermeasures rapid response protocolsScenario starter kit
Recommendations for your design process
- Map typical disinformation attack patterns in your region.
- Prepare modular response templates (statements, social media posts, FAQs).
- Include digital security and mental health resources.
- Build simulation/training exercises for staff.
Solution users and audience
- Human rights organizations
- Activists and advocacy groups
- CSOs engaged in sensitive reporting
- Independent media outlets
Advice
- Prepare before attacks happen — speed is critical.
- Combine defensive messaging with proactive storytelling about your mission.
- Monitor social media sentiment to adjust your response in real time.
Glossary
- Disinformation attack: Coordinated effort to damage reputation using false or misleading claims.
- Crisis communication: Strategic communication used to manage an urgent threat to reputation or safety.
List of recommended tools and resources
- Tools: Hootsuite or Buffer for rapid posting, CrowdTangle for monitoring, ProtonMail for secure comms
- Resources: Access Now’s “Guide to Resisting Disinformation Attacks”, Tactical Tech’s “Exposing the Invisible”, IFEX crisis communication toolkit
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