Join Jon Bateman, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, and Dean Jackson, Principal of Public Circle Research, as they uncover the science behind combating disinformation. They discuss the creation of evidence-based policies to tackle misinformation in elections and the essential role of local journalism in enhancing civic engagement. The duo highlights the challenges posed by technology and cybersecurity in preserving electoral integrity. With personal insights, they also explore the roots of societal polarization and the importance of credible storytelling in shaping public narratives.
Combating disinformation requires a multifaceted approach, including evidence-based interventions that emphasize local journalism and counter-messaging strategies.
The evolving landscape of generative AI necessitates reevaluation of current interventions to effectively address the long-term implications for democracy and public trust.
Deep dives
The Complex Landscape of Disinformation
Disinformation is increasingly recognized as a critical challenge for democracies, yet opinions on how to address it vary significantly. One view positions disinformation as an urgent threat influencing various policy issues, while another suggests that the term itself may lack clarity and exacerbate political divides. The discussion highlights cases such as the "Stop the Steal" movement as examples of harmful disinformation, underscoring the need for an evidence-based understanding of the issue. Reaching a consensus on how to evaluate and respond to disinformation is essential for informing effective policies that can mitigate its impact.
Evaluating Interventions Against Disinformation
The report examines ten specific interventions designed to counter disinformation, attempting to assess their efficacy and scalability. While local journalism emerged as a pivotal focus, given its role in maintaining civic engagement, it also presents challenges in measurement and impact. The importance of fact-checking as a response is acknowledged, yet its limitations in genuinely altering public opinion are also discussed. This comprehensive evaluation reveals that while certain interventions show promise, many are constrained by practical and social factors that hinder their effectiveness.
Counter-Messaging as a Proactive Strategy
Counter-messaging involves crafting narratives that resonate emotionally with target audiences to counter disinformation effectively. This approach signifies a shift away from solely technocratic solutions towards engaging with political and social dimensions. The potential for success in counter-messaging lies in its foundation of psychological and communication strategies, but it also requires considerable effort to identify effective messengers and narratives. The shift towards emphasizing storytelling reflects a recognition that disinformation cannot be addressed through facts alone; rather, it must engage people on a deeper emotional level.
The Role of Technology and Future Considerations
As the rise of generative AI continues to shape the information landscape, its implications for disinformation and countermeasures remain uncertain. While AI poses risks in terms of hyper-targeted messaging and realistic content creation, its impact may also be moderated by public perception and response. Current interventions need to consider the changing technological environment, particularly in how information is distributed and consumed. Broadening the focus beyond immediate election-related concerns will be vital to understanding the longer-term effects of technology on democracy and public trust.
If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you know we’ve spent countless hours together talking about the problems of mis- and disinformation, and what to do about them. And, we’ve tried to focus on the science, on empirical research that can inform efforts to design a better media and technology environment that helps rather than hurts democracy and social cohesion.
Today’s guests are Jon Bateman and Dean Jackson. The two have just produced a report for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace that looks at what is known about a variety of interventions against disinformation, and provides evidence that should guide policy in governments and at technology platforms.
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