Mark Owen Jones

Cheyenne Sardarizadeh, a BBC journalist specializing in spotting fake news, and Marc Owen Jones, a Middle East Studies professor, dive into the chaotic world of digital disinformation. They discuss how misleading content about the Israel-Gaza conflict floods social media faster than it can be verified. The duo highlights tactics used by governments to shape narratives and the emotional toll on those battling misinformation. They also stress the urgent need for media literacy to navigate this digital minefield and combat false narratives.

Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council focusing on Iran, joins Marc Owen Jones, an expert on digital disinformation. They dive into the bold protests led by Gen Z in Iran following Mahsa Amini's death, highlighting how young activists smartly harnessed social media. Discussion includes the human cost of these protests with tragic accounts of young vloggers, the rise of hashtag wars, and the challenges posed by government censorship. They also explore the complexities of online narratives and the importance of following credible sources.

Marc Owen Jones, an associate professor at Northwestern University in Qatar, dives into the intriguing world of digital authoritarianism in the Middle East. Drawing from his experiences in Bahrain and beyond, he discusses how social media is weaponized through bots and disinformation to manipulate public opinion. Personal anecdotes reveal the risks researchers face while studying state-backed digital manipulation. Jones also shares practical strategies for activists to enhance their online safety, while underlining the vital need to grasp this evolving digital landscape.