Decoder with Nilay Patel cover image

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Studying online bad behavior was hard. It's going to get harder in Trump 2.0

Jan 6, 2025
Renee DiResta, an academic and researcher specializing in online abuse and disinformation at Georgetown, dives deep into the evolving landscape of online speech and moderation. She shares insights on the challenges researchers face, likening current threats to McCarthyism. The discussion uncovers the implications of diminished moderation on public discourse, particularly leading into the 2024 Election. DiResta also highlights how foreign interference and the rise of peer-to-peer misinformation complicate trust in online platforms amidst heated political dynamics.
01:01:13

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Major social media platforms are increasingly less inclined to moderate content, raising concerns about rising misinformation and chilling legitimate speech.
  • Researcher Renee DiResta faces backlash and harassment for her studies on disinformation, highlighting the dangers of political manipulation of academic work.

Deep dives

The Evolving Landscape of Online Speech

The discussion highlights the current issues surrounding online speech and content moderation, emphasizing how major platforms like Facebook and Twitter are becoming less inclined to moderate certain types of speech. This shift occurred amidst rising concerns about misinformation and disinformation, particularly during election cycles. The conversation underscores a paradox where reduced moderation may chill specific forms of legitimate speech, as people fear backlash for their opinions. This environment creates a complex landscape for researchers and users alike, complicating efforts to maintain balanced dialogue online.

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