23. SSF Security Talk | Hybrid warfare - How can we protect our information space?
The 23rd SSF Security Talk organised by Swiss Security Forum focused on one of the key security policy issues of our time: the deliberate manipulation of perception, knowledge and public opinion. In an increasingly digitalised world, the battle for influence and interpretative authority is no longer fought on the battlefield, but in the information space. Disinformation, algorithmically amplified echo chambers and psychological influence have become strategic instruments that pose new challenges for democracies.
Dr Jean-Marc Rickli, Head of Global and Emerging Risks at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, introduced the dynamics of cognitive warfare. With the spread of digital and cognitive technologies, Rickli said, human thinking itself is becoming a battlefield. Cognitive warfare goes beyond classic information warfare: it seeks not only to control the flow of information, but also to directly influence perception and decision-making processes. We are currently experiencing a perfect storm of technological progress and an ‘epistemic crisis’ in which the foundations of shared truth are dissolving and alternative facts are shaping entire worldviews. The social contract between citizens, the state and its institutions, which has been valid for centuries and generations, was based on mutual trust. But in today's age of the internet and AI, fundamental human values such as scientific thinking, facts, rationalism and critical thinking are increasingly being supplanted. This development is deliberate, because hybrid warfare pursues a clear goal: to undermine and destroy trust in the media, state institutions and society. For Western democracies and open societies, this development poses an existential threat.
Larissa M. Bieler, director of SWI swissinfo.ch, highlighted in her contribution the role of the media as a shield against misinterpretation and disinformation. With their diversity, multilingualism and high journalistic standards, Swiss media offer an important counterweight to orchestrated disinformation campaigns and propagandistic foreign media. However, they too face growing challenges: polarisation, platformisation and the dominance of global technology companies are threatening public discourse. Using several examples, she demonstrated how foreign media outlets spread targeted misinformation and negative reports and narratives about Swiss politicians. This is exacerbated by growing ‘news fatigue’ – an increasing weariness with information. This makes it all the more important to invest in the media literacy of the population, sustainable and independent media funding, a clear legal framework and international cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Mark Eisenegger, Director of the Research Centre for the Public Sphere and Society (fög) at the University of Zurich, pointed out that although Switzerland is relatively resilient to misinformation in international comparison, the real risk lies in what is known as news deprivation – i.e. the declining use or non-use of journalistic news. Only 46% of the population now obtains information via traditional media (print and online newspapers, radio, TV). This fatal development has serious consequences for knowledge, political participation and social solidarity. While misinformation appears to be a major problem in the public perception, empirical data show that actual exposure to misinformation in Switzerland is comparatively low. The reasons for this include social context factors such as low polarisation, a (still) strong media system and pronounced social control. Nevertheless, technological developments such as artificial intelligence are exacerbating the challenges for both the media and consumers.
The various perspectives were explored in greater depth in the subsequent panel discussion with Prof. Dr. Anna Jobin (University of Fribourg, President of EMEK), Lukas Mäder (Technology & Geopolitics Editor, NZZ), Larissa Bieler, Prof. Mark Eisenegger and Dr Jean-Marc Rickli.
Prof. Dr. Anna Jobin emphasised that trust is the key ‘currency’ in the information space. Trust cannot be bought, but earned – through transparency, responsibility and credible communication channels. She stressed how important it is to have trustworthy information channels, especially at a time when digital platforms control the flow of information. Big Tech also has the knowledge of what content is disseminated and how, and can also recognise and control AI-generated posts or orchestrated disinformation campaigns. Nevertheless, the vast majority of these companies in Switzerland evade legal responsibility. Jobin therefore called for platforms to be held more accountable: they must be accessible and legally actionable in Switzerland. She also called for greater transparency and more in-depth risk assessment on the part of the platforms. Only in this way, she said, could democratic control over the digital information space be strengthened.
Lukas Mäder emphasised that critical thinking is a key skill, including from a journalistic perspective. Source criticism is becoming increasingly important in light of the flood of information and algorithmically reinforced narratives. Mäder pointed out that disinformation today often goes beyond mere false reports: state-orchestrated actors are increasingly creating actual events or facts in order to deliberately influence public opinion. This development poses major challenges for journalism, as it requires in-depth analytical skills – while at the same time demanding a high pace of reporting. He also called for platforms to take greater responsibility – they could identify the activities of state actors and should be obliged to take appropriate countermeasures. In addition, the media had less of a quality problem than a reach problem: how trustworthy media could reach larger sections of the population again remained an open and crucial question.
Larissa Bieler added that the main problem lies not so much in the amount of disinformation, but in the declining reach of reliable information. She also emphasised the responsibility of digital platforms. Digital platforms have no editorial responsibility and do little to ensure that high-quality journalism remains visible. Ultimately, media literacy means critical thinking – consciously questioning the source, intention and context of information.
Prof. Dr. Mark Eisenegger finally turned the focus to the social dimension of news deprivation. This phenomenon no longer affects only younger generations, but broad sections of the population. Many feel overwhelmed by the flood of information, while others would like to see more ‘constructive journalism’ that focuses more on solutions. However, it is crucial to promote political interest and a sense of community – those who are interested in democracy and society are also more likely to seek information from journalistic sources. In the long term, this could strengthen resilience to disinformation.
Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli added the technological perspective to the panel discussion: technology constantly provides new opportunities to specifically influence people's thoughts and actions. Everyday digital tools such as fitness trackers and earbuds already influence behaviour and collect huge amounts of user data, which could be misused in the future to specifically control behaviour. Critical thinking is a necessary measure, but we must also ask ourselves what will happen if technological influence progresses to such an extent that the impulse for critical thinking itself could be switched off. These considerations highlight the urgency of actively incorporating technological developments into security policy and social discussions.
The SSF Security Talk impressively demonstrated that protecting the information space is not purely a technical task, but one that involves society as a whole. It starts with credible institutions, strong media and an informed, critically thinking population. Tech companies and platforms must finally take responsibility, the media must build trust, and citizens must maintain and develop their information literacy as much as possible. Only in this way can Switzerland maintain its democratic resilience even in times of hybrid threats.
The SWISS SECURITY FORUM (SSF) looks back on a successful event with around 80 interested visitors and would like to thank all those who participated.
Selected short statements from our speakers and a video compilation of the event will follow next week.
The event programme can be found here.
Photo gallery:
(Photographer: Monika Flückiger)
