Disinformation
Overwhelm the public with muzzle-velocity headlines: A strategy rooted in racism and authoritarianism
Overwhelm the public with muzzle-velocity headlines: A strategy rooted in racism and authoritarianism The Trump administration’s strategy of overwhelming the public with muzzle-velocity headlines is rooted in racism and authoritarianism, according to scholars. This strategy involves flooding the media with breaking news and contradictory statements, creating a cycle of confusion and uncertainty that can be […]
🏛️ Politics
King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality
King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality The White House’s social media strategy under Trump blurs the lines between politics and entertainment, using melodramatic and theatrical language to appeal to his base. The White House often releases AI-generated images of Trump in various roles, […]
🏛️ Politics
Winning with misinformation: New research identifies link between endorsing easily disproven claims and prioritizing symbolic strength
Winning with misinformation: New research identifies link between endorsing easily disproven claims and prioritizing symbolic strength Research suggests that some people consider it a “win” to endorse easily disproven claims, prioritizing symbolic strength over factual accuracy. The study found that this mindset was strongly associated with authoritarian attitudes, including beliefs in conspiracy theories and support […]
🏛️ Politics
What is AI slop? A technologist explains this new and largely unwelcome form of online content
What is AI slop? A technologist explains this new and largely unwelcome form of online content AI slop refers to low- to mid-quality content created with AI tools, often with little regard for accuracy, and is spreading on social media platforms. The ease of generating content with AI enables people to submit low-quality articles, music, […]
💻 Technology
From printing presses to Facebook feeds: What yesterday’s witch hunts have in common with today’s misinformation crisis
From printing presses to Facebook feeds: What yesterday’s witch hunts have in common with today’s misinformation crisis Historical witch hunts in Europe (1400-1780) share parallels with today’s misinformation crisis, including the spread of false information through media and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The printing press and publications like “Malleus Maleficarum” played a significant role […]
📰 News
Social media can support or undermine democracy – it comes down to how it’s designed
Social media can support or undermine democracy – it comes down to how it’s designed Social media platforms have a significant impact on democracy, either supporting or undermining it, depending on their design choices. The design of social media platforms can shape user behavior, values, and emotional states, often nudging users toward certain actions that […]
🏛️ Politics
Misinformation lends itself to social contagion – here’s how to recognize and combat it
Misinformation lends itself to social contagion – here’s how to recognize and combat it Misinformation on social media can spread quickly, often faster than fact, due to complex contagion, where socially learned behaviors take time to embed. The spreading of misinformation and disinformation can be influenced by social connections, perceptions of common behavior, and lack […]
📰 News
Most Americans believe misinformation is a problem — federal research cuts will only make the problem worse
Most Americans believe misinformation is a problem — federal research cuts will only make the problem worse Research on misinformation and disinformation has been severely impacted by the Trump administration’s restructuring of federal research priorities, including the cancellation of hundreds of grants that supported this research. The overwhelming majority of Americans (95%) believe misinformation’s misleading […]
📰 News
Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns
Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns AI-powered tools are being developed to detect disinformation campaigns that use narrative tactics to manipulate public opinion, particularly on social media platforms. The key to effective disinformation detection lies in understanding narrative structures, personas, timelines, and cultural references, which AI can analyze to identify […]
💻 Technology
Social media overuse tied to belief in fake news
Social media overuse tied to belief in fake news A new study found that people who experience excessive social media use are more likely to believe fake news. The study, conducted by Michigan State University researchers, involved 189 participants aged 18-26 and presented them with real and false news stories formatted as social media posts. […]
🏥 Health