Promoting Online Voices for Countering Violent Extremism
This influential RAND report examines how American Muslim activists are using the internet and social media to counter violent extremism, drawing on a literature review and interviews with Muslim leaders active in those spaces. The core argument is that outside actors—government and private funders alike—will have more reach if they act as facilitators rather than orchestrators, allowing credible Muslim voices to control their own messages even when those messages include criticism of U.S. policy, because that authenticity is what makes the core message of peace and tolerance land. The recommendations follow: reduce the national security framing of CVE where possible, address sources of mistrust within the Muslim community, concentrate engagement and education on those with real social media influence, build leadership and social media capacity in the community, and expand both private-sector and government funding pathways.