Posting Through It 068: How the Fight Against Disinformation Failed feat. James Ball
18 snips
Jan 5, 2026 
Join Jared and Mike as they chat with James Ball, an award-winning British journalist known for his expertise in disinformation. They dive into the chaotic landscape of anti-disinformation efforts post-2020 election, exploring why these initiatives stalled. James discusses the misconceptions around censorship and differentiates legitimate influence operations from inflated claims. He also emphasizes the need for compelling counter-narratives and grassroots support to combat misinformation in today's fractured media environment.
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Mixed Origins Created Vulnerabilities
- Disinformation work united varied causes (journalism, internet safety, foreign interference) under one banner, creating mixed motives and expectations.
- James Ball says that blend made the field vulnerable to partisanship and hype, not purely objective inquiry.
Everyone Felt They Faced A Machine
- Individuals on both sides sincerely believed they were fighting a larger organized machine and thus felt embattled.
- James Ball argues that perception of a vast conspiracy amplified reactions and polarised responses.
The 'Russian Bot' Who Was A Pensioner
- A London Times story identified a supposed 'Russian bot' only to find it was a 70-year-old pensioner posting daily from Scotland.
- James Ball uses this to show how easy misattribution of online activity can be.
