Responding to Cyber Jihad: Towards an Effective Counter Narrative
Responding to Cyber Jihad: Towards an
Effective Counter Narrative
Effective Counter Narrative
“Who is in control of the narrative?” is the mantra that now echoes in the hallways of the European Union’s
headquarters in Brussels. Spurred in part by large-scale jihadist propaganda,1 approximately 20,000 people from
90 countries have joined the fight in Iraq and Syria.2 So far, authorities in their countries of origin have not been
able to address the jihadist radicalisation messages transmitted via the internet and social media. On the
contrary, the jihadist propaganda machine of terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) is proving most effective, producing Hollywood-style high-quality videos of their actions that attract a great
many viewers and supporters. The possibilities offered by the internet and its various social media platforms
provide excellent opportunities to spread extremist messages. In response, authorities are looking for ways to
prevent this from happening. Many new initiatives have recently been announced, including the establishment of
a European counter-narrative centre in Brussels.3 Clearly, the aim behind the establishment of this centre is “to
gain back control of the narrative”. Nevertheless, key questions remain, including: What is the impact of the
internet and social media on radicalisation? What are effective counter-measures? What could such a new centre
offer to the landscape of various initiatives that are already in place? And what lessons learned can be drawn?
These questions will be addressed in this paper. First, the focus will be on the effect of the internet and social
media on the process of radicalisation, followed by a description of the various counter-measures aimed at “cyber
jihad”. Subsequent paragraphs will analyse the dos and don’ts of counter-messaging. Finally, some concluding
remarks will be made.
headquarters in Brussels. Spurred in part by large-scale jihadist propaganda,1 approximately 20,000 people from
90 countries have joined the fight in Iraq and Syria.2 So far, authorities in their countries of origin have not been
able to address the jihadist radicalisation messages transmitted via the internet and social media. On the
contrary, the jihadist propaganda machine of terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) is proving most effective, producing Hollywood-style high-quality videos of their actions that attract a great
many viewers and supporters. The possibilities offered by the internet and its various social media platforms
provide excellent opportunities to spread extremist messages. In response, authorities are looking for ways to
prevent this from happening. Many new initiatives have recently been announced, including the establishment of
a European counter-narrative centre in Brussels.3 Clearly, the aim behind the establishment of this centre is “to
gain back control of the narrative”. Nevertheless, key questions remain, including: What is the impact of the
internet and social media on radicalisation? What are effective counter-measures? What could such a new centre
offer to the landscape of various initiatives that are already in place? And what lessons learned can be drawn?
These questions will be addressed in this paper. First, the focus will be on the effect of the internet and social
media on the process of radicalisation, followed by a description of the various counter-measures aimed at “cyber
jihad”. Subsequent paragraphs will analyse the dos and don’ts of counter-messaging. Finally, some concluding
remarks will be made.
