UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In discussing far-right groups and their tactics to provoke a response and gain attention from the press and public, Joan Donovan, a noted researcher on the topic, explained, "anger spreads faster than joy on social media, and these groups use that to their advantage."

Donovan's lecture is available for viewing here.

Donovan, research director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Policy, discussed tactics by such groups to use participatory media to purposefully disrupt society. She delivered her talk Oct. 18 on Penn State's University Park campus. 

A leader in disinformation research and author of "Meme Wars: The Untold Story of the Online Battles Upending Democracy in America," Donovan provided a deeper look at how such groups use social media movements and other high-volume media to push their messaging and gain a platform both nationally and internationally.

Donovan briefly called out groups such as the Proud Boys and advised how to recognize their media techniques and how to deflect them. Non-engagement is an effective strategy, she said, because it starves them of content they need to grow and stay relevant.

“No longer an emerging technology imbued with the possibility of fostering social change by giving voice to small groups, social media has become a tool of the powerful to dominate, harass and coerce vulnerable groups,” Donovan said. “If we do not acknowledge this shift, the freest speech will benefit only those who are already powerful.” 

The lecture, sponsored and hosted by Penn State Student Affairs and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, was the first in a series of events taking place this week and next to offer an alternative to a student-planned Oct. 24 event featuring speakers who are known for hate-filled rhetoric. Another event, "Together We Are," will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 in the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus. The event will be an uplifting celebration of diverse voices, featuring music, student performances, free food and other activities.