The healthy functioning of democracies depends on the quality of the information that frames debate within them. But digitalisation, the rise of social media and increasingly sophisticated forms of artificial intelligence are delivering new opportunities to poison the well of public discourse. Unfortunately, as a Guardian investigation this week illustrates, exploiting these is a 21st-century growth industry.
Alongside state-sponsored actors, increasing numbers of private firms are profiting from the dissemination of disinformation on behalf of political and corporate clients. Undercover research, in conjunction with 30 other media organisations, has exposed the inner workings of one such outfit – an Israeli black ops unit which combines the use of automated disinformation on social media with hacking and the seeding of fabricated stories in mainstream news outlets. The resulting revelations offer the deepest, most detailed insight yet into evolving forms of digital malpractice.
Greenpeace? Friends of the Earth? ASH?
Which feeder of lies and disinformation into the public discourse is identified as being in the island under the volcano bunker?
A Judicial Office source said: “They have misquoted the judge. That’s why we have provided this clarification. The judge has sent us exactly what he said.”
On Friday night, Just Stop Oil was forced to update its website, clarifying the line about not feeling guilty.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/17/just-stop-oil-rebuked-claiming-judge-said-nothing-feel-guilty/
Thanks DocBud.
The healthy functioning of democracies depends on the quality of the information that frames debate within them.
So the Guardian accepts that the Guardian is bad for the health of democracy???
The government is the single largest feeder and propagator of lies and disinformation into the public discourse by a country mile.
@ TMB
Only if you count the anti-Tory BBC as part of the government.
john77
Since the Conservative party is anti-Tory government comprises an unchanging broad consensus that is entirely comfortable with the BBC’s output.
On Friday night, Just Stop Oil was forced to update its website, clarifying the line about not feeling guilty.
As expected the BBC hasn’t corrected their article and I won’t be holding my breath for a correction when Mrs BiND puts the news on tonight.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-64683048
All very well that JSO has had to update its web site, but the false version has been all over social media and that’s all that most people will see. As the quote goes, lies go round the world while truth is getting its boots on.
Didn’t you just know it was the joos behind it?
Extremists just can’t help themselves
The healthy functioning of democracies depends on the quality of the information that frames debate within them. But the rise of affordable newspapers is delivering new opportunities to poison the well of public discourse. Unfortunately, exploiting these is a 19th-century growth industry.
Ban newspapers, before it’s too late!
The healthy functioning of democracies depends on the quality of the information that frames debate within them. But the rise of radio broadcasting is delivering new opportunities to poison the well of public discourse. Unfortunately, exploiting these is a 20th-century growth industry.
Ban radio, before it’s too late!
The healthy functioning of democracies depends on the quality of the information that frames debate within them. But the rise of the printing press is delivering new opportunities to poison the well of public discourse. Unfortunately, exploiting these is a 16th-century growth industry.
Ban printing, before it’s too late!
jgh
You forgot town criers
philip: And people talking to each other over lunch.
So that’s why they wanted to ban the pub, Sam!!
So, last week it was 77th Brigade getting a kicking and this week it’s the Jewish Internet Defence Force. Next the Grauniad will be telling us that there are doubts that 6 Gorillion really died in the holocaust.
😐
“The healthy functioning of democracies depends on…” Usually easier to work out when it is failing. For example take a look at the UK. No hint of anything democratic when it came to Covid, or zero carbon. The idea of allowing the people to get involved in decisions took a knock when they made such a decision about membership of the EU
“The healthy functioning of democracies depends on…” governments being sufficiently fearful of popular revolt and a short, sharp visit to Madam Guillotine to at least pretend that they are acting in the interests of the electorate.
I’ll stick with Mark Twain’s (?) “If you don’t read newspapers you’re ill-informed. If you do read newspapers you’re misinformed”.