Extremist media use to be examined

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Extremist use of the media and information environment to propagate views and garner international support comes under the microscope in Germany next month.

The Association of Old Crows Information Operations Institute, a non-profit organization of electronic warfare specialists, said experts from government, academia and industry will focus on the issue at its Information Operations Europe 2012 conference at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany.

"During the 'Arab Spring,' disaffected people across the Arab region and Northern Africa united to over-throw long-standing governments through the use of the information environment," the association said. "These groups leveraged all information elements to garner feverish support within their home nation, across their region, and to the entire world. …

"This conference breaks down the information environment and how it is used by individuals and groups to advance extreme objectives within nation states."

Speakers include Matt Armstrong, former executive director at U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy; Austin Branch, director of Information Operations of Department of Defense; and leaders from U.S. Central Command, U.S. Africa Command and NATO.

The conference is being held Feb. 22-23.