Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor from Pod Save America discuss Biden admin's stance on disinformation and social media's role in the election. They cover combating false narratives, Republicans vs. Democrats approach to disinformation, and the impact of conspiracy theories on politics.
Countering misinformation requires adapting to demand-side strategies for addressing false narratives.
The Biden administration faces challenges in addressing domestic disinformation due to legal concerns and conservative accusations.
Deep dives
Impact of Misinformation on Campaigns
Misinformation and disinformation through outlets like Fox News and Right Wing Radio play a significant role in influencing election dynamics. Strategies like cropping videos out of context pose challenges for campaigns, making it hard to counter rapidly spreading misinformation. The shift from supply-side to demand-side approach for addressing false narratives has become crucial for campaigns to combat damaging misinformation.
Challenges in Addressing Domestic Disinformation
The Biden administration faces difficulties in countering domestic disinformation due to legal concerns following conservative activists' accusations of government interference in the 2020 election. Campaigns are adapting strategies to identify and counter the most damaging misinformation concerning Biden, focusing on core concerns to persuade voters effectively.
Role of Social Media in Political Campaigns
Social media platforms serve as vital spaces for organizing political movements, with efforts to reach young audiences through influencers and engage in relational organizing. Challenges persist in navigating the spread of misinformation on platforms like Facebook, highlighting the need for authentic engagement and strategic content dissemination.
Conspiracies and Election Narratives
Popular conspiracies like the potential replacement of Joe Biden with Michelle Obama or claims of Dave Chappelle being replaced by a clone reveal the prevalence of misinformation and wild narratives surrounding political figures. Acknowledging and addressing such conspiracies through reliable sources and fact-checking remain essential in understanding and navigating election landscapes.
Today on WIRED Politics Lab, Pod Save America co-hosts Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor join the show to discuss what the Biden administration has to say about Disinformation. Plus, how to wade through the social media muck and stay informed through this election.
Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Jon Favreau is @jonfavs. Tommy Vietor is @TVietor08. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.