Journalists from Latin America, Russia, and Nigeria discuss the impact of disinformation on their work. Topics include deep fake technology, information laundering, and combatting fake news with verification tools and vigilance.
Deep fakes and disinformation challenge journalism globally, manipulating audio and video content for false dissemination.
False narratives spread via social media platforms in Africa, Latin America, and Russia demonstrate the diverse impact of disinformation.
Deep dives
The Impact of Disinformation and Deep Fakes
Disinformation and deep fakes pose serious challenges globally by manipulating audio and video content, leading to the spread of false information. The podcast discusses how these tools are used in various regions for different motives, such as political gain, financial profit, or personal reasons. The episode highlights the increasing trend of deep fakes and AI-generated content to deceive audiences and influence opinions, requiring vigilant fact-checking and critical thinking to combat the dissemination of fake news.
Regional Trends and Disinformation Campaigns
The episode delves into specific examples of disinformation campaigns in Africa, Latin America, and Russia, showcasing the diversity of false narratives spread through social media platforms. Instances like fake news about a malaria vaccine, political disinformation during elections, and misinformation about global events like the war in Ukraine demonstrate the wide-reaching impact of disinformation and its manipulation for various agendas.
Advice for Dealing with Disinformation
Experts on the podcast provide practical advice for handling disinformation, emphasizing the need for caution and verification before sharing information. Recommendations include waiting before reposting content, conducting thorough fact-checks through reverse image searches or other tools, and cultivating a mindset of skepticism to combat the rampant spread of false information. By empowering individuals to be vigilant and proactive in discerning truth from falsehood, listeners can play a crucial role in countering disinformation.
How is disinformation created and spread, and how is it impacting the way journalists work? We'll look at what's going on in Latin America, Russia and Nigeria with the help of three World Service journalists: Luis Fajardo is a senior editor with BBC Monitoring, covering South American media; Olga Robinson, also with Monitoring, is a disinformation analyst specialised in Russian affairs; and Olaronke Alo is part of the Disinformation Unit in Nigeria.
Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
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