Disinformation
Trump administration bars former EU official and anti-disinformation and hate researchers from US
Trump administration bars former EU official and anti-disinformation and hate researchers from US The Trump administration has barred former EU official Thierry Breton and four researchers from entering the US. The researchers, including Imran Ahmed, who runs the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), are accused of being involved in content moderation. The State Department […]
📰 News
Karoline Leavitt’s White House briefing doublethink is straight out of Orwell’s ‘1984’
Karoline Leavitt’s White House briefing doublethink is straight out of Orwell’s ‘1984’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has been accused of using “doublethink” to manipulate information and present false narratives during a recent press conference. Leavitt claimed that inflation had slowed to 2.5% and real wages were increasing by $1,200 for the average worker, […]
🏛️ Politics
About This Account reveals the scale of X’s foreign troll problem
About This Account reveals the scale of X’s foreign troll problem Twitter’s “About This Account” feature has revealed the scale of foreign troll activity on the platform, with many accounts claiming to be from the US but actually based in other countries. A significant number of these fake accounts are focused on stoking political anger […]
🏛️ Politics
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