UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

Inside the 'disinformation' industry

Apr 16, 2024

The podcast delves into the influence of 'ratings agencies' on controlling media conversation and ad revenue, with a focus on Global Disinformation Index. It questions the subjectivity and impact of these judgments on media companies, raising concerns about press freedom and democracy in the digital age.

22:40

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Quick takeaways

Ratings agencies like the GDI control media conversation through ad revenue manipulation, impacting free expression and diverse viewpoints.

The GDI's broad definition of disinformation risks stifling journalistic challenges and alternative viewpoints, raising concerns over First Amendment rights.

Deep dives

Uncovering Worldwide System of Censorship

Despite originally seeking to include ads on their website, the podcast encountered a system of censorship involving organizations like the Global Disinformation Index, impacting the advertising revenue potential. The GDI labeled the podcast as anti-LGBTQI and anti-trans due to hosting dissenting voices, triggering concerns about free expression and diverse viewpoints being stifled.

Introduction

3min

Exploring the Labeling of Dissenting Voices and the Evolution of Disinformation

4min

Evolution of the Disinformation Concept and the Global Disinformation Index

5min

Identifying Adversarial Narratives in Disinformation Rating Systems

6min

Examining Disinformation, Legal Battles, and Ad Strategies

5min

The verdicts of “ratings agencies” such as the GDI, within the complex machinery that serves online ads, are a little-understood mechanism for controlling the media conversation. In UnHerd’s case, the GDI verdict means that we only received between 2% and 6% of the ad revenue normally expected for an audience of our size. Meanwhile, neatly demonstrating the arbitrariness and subjectivity of these judgements, Newsguard, a rival ratings agency, gives UnHerd a 92.5% trust rating, just ahead of the New York Times at 87.5%.

So, what are these “ratings agencies” that could be the difference between life and death for a media company? How does their influence work? And who funds them? The answers are concerning and raise serious questions about the freedom of the press and the viability of a functioning democracy in the internet age.

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UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

Inside the 'disinformation' industry

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Uncovering Worldwide System of Censorship

Evolution of Disinformation and Consequences

Challenges with GDI and Call for Awareness

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts