US authorities and Internet giants are boosting attempts to counter the Islamic State group's online propaganda, though it is unclear how effective these efforts are in hampering the jihadists' public-relations machine.
With calls to jihad and highly produced videos of IS fighters in battle or killing captives, the IS group has long used the Internet and social media to recruit fighters for its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, and to incite individuals around the world to commit terrorist attacks.
To try to stop this, web giants like Twitter and Facebook are working hard to shut down jihadist accounts, though these often pop back up under a new name.
"Twitter has publicly said they've taken down close to 200,000 handles. They've taken down way more than that," Richard Stengel, the under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs said at a recent seminar aimed at countering IS's "brand."
"YouTube has taken down literally millions of videos. Facebook has hundreds of people who are working 24/7 to take down this noxious content," added Stengel, who also was the former managing editor of Time magazine.
'Amplifying moderate voices'
At the same time, US efforts are being led by the State Department's Global Engagement Center, which was overhauled this year and brought under the leadership of Michael Lumpkin, a former US naval officer.
The center "is not going to be focused on US messages with a government stamp on them, but rather amplifying moderate credible voices in the region and throughout civil society," said Lisa Monaco, President Barack Obama's top homeland security advisor.
The US military's Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, is "actively engaged" on social media to counter IS propaganda.
"The command has a robust online engagement program that harnesses the professional talents and expertise of both military members and contractors working together," Pentagon spokesman Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway said.
"We operate using truthful information directed toward regional audiences to combat ISIL's lies and deception," he added, using an IS acronym.
Stenger said efforts are paying off.
"There's now five times as much messaging on social media that is anti-ISIL than pro-ISIL, again, mostly in Arabic," he said.
JM Berger, an expert on the IS group who has written extensively about the jihadists' use of Twitter, said they are feeling the squeeze.
"There is no question that ISIS supporters on Twitter and elsewhere are under tremendous pressure, and they are performing significantly below the levels we saw last year, or even earlier this year," he said.
"Supporter accounts have fewer followers and tweet less often. They are still able to distribute their propaganda to a shrinking core audience, but it is harder for them to broadcast widely and to get their message in front of potential recruits."
Will McCants, an expert on jihadists at the Brookings Institution think tank, said pressure on Facebook and Twitter has seen IS supporters turn to smaller social media platforms like Telegram to disseminate their propaganda.
"Still, they try to maintain a presence on the larger platforms because that's where the potential recruits are," he noted.
Inspiring 'troubled souls'
Rita Katz, who co-founded the private intelligence firm Search for International Terrorist Entities Intelligence Group (SITE), rejected the notion that jihadist propaganda was slowing.
IS propaganda "at least doubled last year if not even more. Further, in addition to the daily reports, in the last year the Islamic State has also increased substantially its publications, as it started several new ones," she said, pointing to new Turkish- and Russian-language magazines.
"These groups and individuals are still online and they're still recruiting," she said.
Meanwhile FBI Director James Comey noted that while there has been a drop in people traveling to join the IS group, the jihadists retain the ability to "motivate troubled souls."
AFP
Sun May 15 2016
![Efforts to counter IS propaganda bear fruit, experts say Efforts to counter IS propaganda bear fruit, experts say](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-09/71443625429_IslamicState.jpg)
US authorities and Internet giants are boosting attempts to counter the Islamic State group's online propaganda.
![Aerotrain KLIA dijangka beroperasi semula pada suku pertama 2025 Aerotrain KLIA dijangka beroperasi semula pada suku pertama 2025](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/71677759533_AeroTrainAerotrai.jpg)
Aerotrain KLIA dijangka beroperasi semula pada suku pertama 2025
Langkah itu selaras dengan pelan penggantian Aerotrain di Terminal 1, KLIA yang dijadual siap sepenuhnya pada 31 Jan, 2025.
![Simpanan air mentah Empangan Muda, Bukit Merah terus rekod paras bahaya Simpanan air mentah Empangan Muda, Bukit Merah terus rekod paras bahaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720530545_EmpanganMUDA.jpg)
Simpanan air mentah Empangan Muda, Bukit Merah terus rekod paras bahaya
Lima lagi empangan menunjukkan baki stok simpanan air mentah semasa berada pada paras amaran.
![Imigresen Negeri Sembilan gempur penempatan haram warga asing Imigresen Negeri Sembilan gempur penempatan haram warga asing](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721186039_tbpekerjawargaasin.jpg)
Imigresen Negeri Sembilan gempur penempatan haram warga asing
Seramai 69 warga Indonesia dan Bangladesh termasuk lapan wanita berusia dalam lingkungan 24 hingga 60 tahun diperiksa.
YB Kinabatangan mahu bawa 'tour' ke kawasan miskin tegar
"Saya rela bawa YB dua tiga hari, kita 'tour' di kawasan miskin tegar. Biar YB nampak keparat macam mana corak kemiskinannya. Jalan raya tiada, elektrik tiada ,air tiada," kata YB Kinabatangan.
#SisiTVParlimen
#SisiTVParlimen
![Pupuk minat STEM, PM arah MOSTI senaraikan 100 saintis anjur program di sekolah Pupuk minat STEM, PM arah MOSTI senaraikan 100 saintis anjur program di sekolah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719399897_TBAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Pupuk minat STEM, PM arah MOSTI senaraikan 100 saintis anjur program di sekolah
Anwar berkata inisiatif tersebut perlu dilakukan bagi meningkatkan minat pelajar kepada Sains, Matematik, Kejuruteraan dan Teknologi (STEM) yang dilaporkan semakin berkurangan sekarang.
![Punca kematian Nur Farah Kartini belum dapat disahkan - Polis Punca kematian Nur Farah Kartini belum dapat disahkan - Polis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719741220_tbHusseinOmarKhan.jpg)
Punca kematian Nur Farah Kartini belum dapat disahkan - Polis
Punca kematian Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah masih belum dapat disahkan berikutan bahagian dada dan mukanya yang reput ketika dijumpai.
10 daerah termiskin, lapan daripadanya adalah di Sabah
Menteri Ekonomi perincikan 10 daerah termiskin di Malaysia dan lapan daripadanya adalah di Sabah. Ia termasuk Tongod, Beluran, Pitas, Kinabatangan, Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Ranau dan Lahad Datu.
#SisiTVParlimen
#SisiTVParlimen
![Jenazah Nur Farah Kartini dikebumi di Pekan Jenazah Nur Farah Kartini dikebumi di Pekan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721056502_tbNurFarahKartini.jpg)
Jenazah Nur Farah Kartini dikebumi di Pekan
Abang kepada mangsa berkata lokasi sebenar pengebumian adik bongsunya itu akan dimaklumkan kelak.
![Hilang kata-kata terima berita nahas MH17 - Azharuddin Hilang kata-kata terima berita nahas MH17 - Azharuddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/81692355642_DCA.jpg)
Hilang kata-kata terima berita nahas MH17 - Azharuddin
Ketika itu, Azharuddin ligat berfikir, apa harus diperkatakan kerana semua sudah tahu orang kesayangan mereka telah tiada.
![Laluan penerbangan baharu keputusan komersial syarikat penerbangan - MOT Laluan penerbangan baharu keputusan komersial syarikat penerbangan - MOT](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51718952637_MAHB.jpg)
Laluan penerbangan baharu keputusan komersial syarikat penerbangan - MOT
Keputusan berkenaan juga berasaskan aspek daya maju komersial laluan terbabit.
![Tiga termasuk suami isteri didakwa sokong, miliki bahan pengganas IS Tiga termasuk suami isteri didakwa sokong, miliki bahan pengganas IS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719293418_tbsuamiisteri.jpg)
Tiga termasuk suami isteri didakwa sokong, miliki bahan pengganas IS
Tiga individu termasuk sepasang suami isteri dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen pada Selasa atas pertuduhan menyokong dan memiliki bahan berkaitan kumpulan pengganas Islamic State (IS).
![Pekebun didakwa sokong pengganas ‘IS’, miliki barang berunsur keganasan Pekebun didakwa sokong pengganas ‘IS’, miliki barang berunsur keganasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51718254023_pekebundidakwa.jpg)
Pekebun didakwa sokong pengganas ‘IS’, miliki barang berunsur keganasan
Seorang pekebun didakwa atas pertuduhan menyokong dan memiliki item berkaitan kumpulan pengganas Islamic State (IS), sejak tahun lalu.
![Seorang warga Indonesia didakwa miliki item berunsur keganasan Seorang warga Indonesia didakwa miliki item berunsur keganasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-01/71580445449_TBxjpg.jpg)
Seorang warga Indonesia didakwa miliki item berunsur keganasan
Irwanzir yang bekerja sebagai buruh binaan di Balik Pulau didakwa melakukan kesalahan itu di belakang rumah yang beralamat di Hadapan Kanan, 352 Mukim C, Permatang Pasir Balik Pulau pada 6 Jan lalu.
![Bukan Islam di Indonesia tidak lagi digelar 'kafir' Bukan Islam di Indonesia tidak lagi digelar 'kafir'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-03/51551584549_IndonesianMuslim.jpg)
Bukan Islam di Indonesia tidak lagi digelar 'kafir'
Cadangan mengharamkan menyebutkan warga Indonesia bukan Islam sebagai kafir tidak menghapus istilah itu dalam Al-Quran atau hadis, sebaliknya ia sikap teologis NU mengenai isu itu ketika ini.
![Lapan pengunjung pasar raya jadi tebusan lelaki bersenjata Lapan pengunjung pasar raya jadi tebusan lelaki bersenjata](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-08/61472535700_BeritaTerkini.jpg)
Lapan pengunjung pasar raya jadi tebusan lelaki bersenjata
Seorang lelaki bersenjata telah menggunakanbeberapa pengunjung sebagai tebusan di sebuah pasar raya di Trebes, di barat daya Perancis.
![Polis tangkap sembilan suspek terlibat aktiviti Daish Polis tangkap sembilan suspek terlibat aktiviti Daish](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-08/51471060472_daish.jpg)
Polis tangkap sembilan suspek terlibat aktiviti Daish
Dalam operasi di sekitar Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Sabah dan Kelantan itu, tiga warga asing dan enam rakyat Malaysia yang berusia antara 17 hingga 56 tahun ditahan.
![Daish 'semakin agresif' - Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman Daish 'semakin agresif' - Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-07/41469260709_SuspekDaish.jpg)
Daish 'semakin agresif' - Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman
Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman beri amaran, kumpulan pengganas Daish 'semakin agresif' dalam menyebarkan ideologi mereka.
![Militan Daish jual 'hamba seks' dalam talian Militan Daish jual 'hamba seks' dalam talian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/71464499539_sexslave.jpg)
Militan Daish jual 'hamba seks' dalam talian
Menjual hamba seks atas talian oleh kumpulan militan Daishkini semakin mendapat perhatian warga dunia. Laman media sosial kini menjadi fokus mereka untuk menawarkan perkhidmatan ini.
![PM sedih dengan insiden letupan di Istanbul PM sedih dengan insiden letupan di Istanbul](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-01/81452653434_950x600.jpg)
PM sedih dengan insiden letupan di Istanbul
Datuk Seri Najib Razak melahirkan rasa dukacita dengan insiden pengeboman di Istanbul, Turki semalam yang telah meragut sekurang-kurangnya 10 nyawa.
![Kes anggota komando miliki penerbitan berkaitan militan dipindah ke KL Kes anggota komando miliki penerbitan berkaitan militan dipindah ke KL](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-06/41434978586_MAHKAMAHTINGGIKL.jpg)
Kes anggota komando miliki penerbitan berkaitan militan dipindah ke KL
Mohd Abu Haliff Shah Abu Bakar sebelum ini didakwa memiliki sehelai kemeja-T yang mempunyai kaitan dengan kumpulan militan Daish pada 12 Nov lepas.