The Sunday Show
Documenting the Assault on Disinformation and Hate Speech Research
Nov 24, 2024
Philip M. Napoli, an expert in media policy at Duke University, dives into the troubling landscape of disinformation research in this discussion. He unveils the concerted efforts by political forces to undermine research on propaganda. Napoli explains agnotology, highlighting how misinformation flourished post-2016 election. The conversation touches on the evolving risks for researchers and the need for accountability among platforms. He also calls for balanced regulations to protect free speech while addressing the challenges posed by digital misinformation.
29:31
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast highlights a strategic effort by political entities to undermine disinformation research, labeling it as politically motivated to stifle legitimate inquiry.
- It discusses agnotology and how certain interests manipulate ignorance about disinformation to control narratives and challenge credible research.
Deep dives
The Political Assault on Research
The analysis of over 1,800 pages of documents reveals a targeted effort to undermine research on disinformation and hate speech, particularly in relation to the campaign waged by certain government entities. These entities have been scrutinizing researchers who assemble data about online misinformation, often labeling their findings as politically motivated or even fraudulent. This politicization creates an environment where academic inquiries into critical societal issues become suspect, stifling legitimate research that can inform public discourse. Researchers have reported increased hostility, including threats and attempts to damage their careers, simply for conducting investigations that reveal uncomfortable truths.
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